An elderly couple from Hockley, Essex, have been left distressed after a woman allegedly stuffed manure through their letterbox and smeared paint stripper on their cars. Ken and Diane Lott, both 81, returned home from a gig on the Isle of Wight on February 9 to find the damage, which they captured on CCTV.
The footage shows a woman approaching their property at 10.30pm on February 8, holding manure wrapped in newspaper. She is also seen with what appears to be a glue lid in her mouth, leaning over the keyhole. The couple found a key glued into their front door lock and manure smeared across the letterbox.
This incident follows a similar attack on April 28 last year, when paint stripper was poured over their cars, black paint sprayed on windows, and construction foam inserted into exhaust pipes and the front door lock. The couple believe the same person is responsible for both acts of vandalism.
Their daughter, Julie, 47, described her parents as 'incredibly distressed' and has shared the CCTV images on social media in an appeal for information. 'We have no idea why this has happened,' she said. 'This is targeted, calculated behaviour and cannot be allowed to continue.'
Essex Police confirmed they are investigating an allegation of criminal damage at the property on Main Road, Hockley, reported at around 3.15pm on February 9.
