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Disabled mum faces being moved out of Hemlington after gang target home
A disabled mother-of-three says she was targeted by a gang of youths and now faces being moved out of the area for her safety.
Samantha Harman said she had only been in the property at Dalcross Court, in Hemlington, for two weeks before she was targeted. The full-time mum said on the evening of April 26, whilst she was home with her 12-year-old daughter and two sons – aged 10 and four – her home was attacked and she was subject to vile verbal abuse.
The 38-year-old told Teesside Live the incident happened after she confronted a boy who was throwing stones at her property, she said: “I told him if he carried on I’d go and see his mam and that was it, then a big gang of lads started threatening me.
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“They ran past and threw a glass bottle at my window and my kids were freaking out. The police were phoned but even whilst the police were there I was still getting abuse. The windows were getting smashed the group just didn’t care.”
Ms Harman said when she first moved into the home she was excited for a new start. The family accepted the Thirteen Group property as their previous home was too small for the family of four. Ms Harman said she also needed a home suitable for her mobility issues, she said: “When it came up I thought great. It was a new start.
“It ended up as a nightmare though. I don’t feel my kids are safe in that house.”
Ms Harman is now staying with her mother as new accommodation is organised but said every time she has visited the Dalcross Court property she has been abused. “Every time I’ve been back to the property to get something I’ve come under attack and had death threats,” she said.
“There’s green shutters on now as every day I was getting a phone call saying another window had been put through.”
The mum, who has family and friends in the area, said she has lived in Hemlington all her life and has never had issues before.
Ms Harman said the support is vital as her ten-year-old son is on the pathway for ADHD, has developmental delay, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Ms Harman also said her four-year-old son has autism and hyperactivity.
However, she claims she has been told by Thirteen Group that she will be moved from Hemlington into another property due to safety concerns. The 38-year-old said she has been told the house could be anywhere in the district except Hemlington.
Ms Harman said to move outside Hemlington would have a detrimental effect on her health and wellbeing and says she has explained this to Thirteen but says officers have told her she will not be offered a house in the area due to safety concerns. The mum-of-three stressed she does not feel safe in the home anymore but feels she would be safe at another property in the area.
The bungalow she is currently staying at is in Hemlington and she claims she has not been subject to any further abuse. “I’m disabled and all my support network is in Hemlington,” she added.
“My family and friends are in Hemlington and they want me to move away from that. I want to be as close to my family as possible. I’m still out and about in the area and I’ve never had any bother.
“It would be detrimental to my health and the health of my kids if we’re moved away. My kids are so hurt and it feels like there’s nothing I can do.”
In response to the claims, David Ripley, executive director of customer services at Thirteen, said: “We are working closely with Cleveland Police to support Mrs Harman, following a report of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage to her property in Hemlington.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our absolute priority, so following advice from Cleveland Police about the safety of Mrs Harman, we are doing everything we can to support the family to find a suitable home in an alternative area.
“We have offered Mrs Harman a property in a different location that meets her home adaptation and family needs. However, due to the location, Mrs Harman hasn’t accepted the property.
“We understand that Mrs Harman has concerns about moving out of the area. We will continue to offer support with the next steps that she decides to take.
“We are working in partnership with other agencies to look at options, in line with the advice and information we have been given by the police. We’re also continuing to work with our partners to help reduce antisocial behaviour in Hemlington.”
Police have since launched an appeal for anyone with CCTV of the April incident to come forward.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “At around 5.45pm on April 26, Cleveland Police received reports that a group of youths in balaclavas had caused criminal damage in Dalcross Court in Hemlington. The youths had pulled a downpipe from one property and had thrown mud and stones at another, smashing a window pane, before running away in the direction of Cass House Road.
“Officers attended and checked CCTV, but were not able to identify those involved. Anyone with information or CCTV footage which has not yet been provided to Police can call 101.”
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