Terrifying video footage has revealed how a family's home in Conisbrough, South Yorkshire, was targeted by masked thugs on successive nights, with windows smashed and a vehicle ramming into parked cars.
First Incident: Naked Homeowner Chases Off Intruder
In the first incident, a hooded figure was seen trying to break into vehicles late at night before being chased away by the naked householder, Aaron Thompson, 43, who had no time to put on clothes.
Second Attack: Return of the Assailants
Just a day later, Ring doorbell footage captured the assailants returning to smash front windows and repeatedly drive into the Thompson family's cars parked outside. A BMW Z4, BMW 1 series, and BMW 3 series, worth tens of thousands of pounds, were written off, while a Hyundai i10 was left dented and with a scrape on the window.
Family's Ordeal
Aaron and his wife Rebecca, 47, both directors of a construction firm, said the incidents were the culmination of a 'nightmare' campaign of abuse that has left them 'mentally destroyed'. The trouble began after their 12-year-old Jackapoo dog, PJ, was mauled to death on January 2, when another dog entered their back garden. Their daughter Ellie, 19, attempted to rescue PJ, but he suffered broken legs, a ripped jaw, and multiple puncture wounds and had to be put to sleep.
South Yorkshire Police investigated the attack but found no reason to seize the other dog. Mrs Thompson had previous concerns about the same animal, which had lunged at Ellie in October, an incident also reported to the police. Mrs Thompson, who also has an 11-year-old Jackapoo called Pepsi, said: 'My daughter feels like a prisoner in her own home and cannot access any outside areas due to the fear of attack.' She added that Ellie has suffered panic attacks since the event.
Justice for PJ Campaign
The attacks on the Thompsons' home on March 24 and 25 occurred days after they launched a campaign called Justice for PJ. Mrs Thompson said the campaign was because she believed the police 'weren't doing enough' about the other dog and wanted to alert others in the area. However, police say there is no evidence linking the incidents to the campaign.
Mrs Thompson, a wildlife volunteer who helps local hedgehogs, said: 'Although this attack has made us stronger and work more as a unit, it has mentally destroyed us. Lack of sleep is a torture. Seeing your kids cry daily is a nightmare.'
South Yorkshire Police confirmed it is investigating criminal damage at the Thompsons' home. Insp Steve Usher explained: 'The dog involved had not injured a person. Seizing a dog is never a decision taken lightly but if an officer deems the dog to be a risk to others, it will be taken into police kennels. In this case, the owner agreed to work with our officer, engaging in restorative justice, completing a Responsible Dog Ownership Course with the Blue Cross Charity, and putting measures in place to ensure the dog could not cause injury or fear.'
