Dad’s stone-throw terror

A MOTORIST is warning drivers after youths on a bypass bridge pelted his car with stones in what he believes was a targeted attack.

Christopher Tinker (32), of Rydal Avenue, Chadderton, was driving his Honda along Oldham Way away from Mumps roundabout on Saturday at 9.30pm when he spotted two Asian youths on the pedestrian walkway.

As the father-of-one drove under the walkway, he said the teenagers, one wearing a scarf as a mask, rained golf-ball-sized stones on his car.

Mr Tinker managed to remain in control of the vehicle and reported the incident to the police that night.

He said: “I spotted them on the bridge — I looked at them as I approached and they looked at me. I tried to accelerate when I saw one of their arms move but they dropped chunks of limestone on to my car.

“I kept going because there was an ambulance with a police escort behind me.

“They singled me out, they could see directly into my car. I don’t know if I was victimised but two taxis drove through before me without being attacked.”

The front, side and rear passenger windows were chipped, as was the bodywork, but no windows were smashed.

He said: “I don’t think they understand the consequences of their actions.

“What would have happened if I was driving my wife and baby daughter and the windows would have smashed?

“The walkway is used a lot but it either needs to be shut or have some mesh or CCTV installed to act as a deterrent.”

The incident is the latest is a series of missile attacks on cars which has plagued the Oldham bypass for a number of years.

In January, 2008, yobs hurled a fire extinguisher off Mumps railway bridge on to the roof of a passing vehicle.

Inspector Mark Davis, of the Oldham East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are currently working with Oldham Council and the Community Safety Unit to improve the safety of the area.

“Extra police patrols have been put in place and we are also looking into the installation of lighting and CCTV.

“If anyone has information about who may be responsible, please get in touch on 0161 872 5050 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”