Call for attacks to stop after windows smashed

​Mark Pearce was at home on Sunday evening in Newry’s Springhill Drive when, at around 12.30am, a number of windows were smashed.

In recent weeks Mr Pearce says he has been assaulted, had his home attacked and had his bike stolen. He said these incidents occurred after he had spoken to teens asking them not to harass older members of the community.

threatened

Speaking to the Newry Reporter, Mr Pearce said that he had been threatened by a teenager “who said he would break my windows” earlier that evening.

He added: “It’s a quiet life that I want, but when someone attacks my character on the street I can’t walk away and I can’t see why I should have to walk away with my head hung in shame.

“I’m trying to be a good person. I’m never violent to anyone, I’ve never attacked anybody in my life unless I’m attacked.

“I think it’s because I have a beard, I’m doing my own thing and they don’t understand it.

“They have a country bumpkin attitude towards other people. They’re scumbags and they are torturing everybody in the vicinity, whereas I try to talk to them.

“They don’t understand that mentality that there’s no need for violence and intimidating people because they haven’t learnt anything better.”

Mr Pearce shared footage of the aftermath of the attack on his NewryUns social media channels.

“I think this needs to be highlighted and it needs to be talked about in the community because it’s not just me getting this,” he continued.

“I’ve inadvertently become the face of what’s going on. There’s loads of this sort of incident going on in Newry.”

report

A PSNI spokesperson said that they had received a report of criminal damage at residential premises at the Springhill Drive area of Newry in the early hours of Monday, August 5.

Sergeant Dougherty said: “At around 00:35am, it was reported that two downstairs windows and a front door pane had been smashed during the incident. It was reported that a man in his 50s was inside the property, but was not injured.

“Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident, to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 46 05/08/24.

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ .

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”

‘This needs to be highlighted and it needs to be talked about in the community because it’s not just me getting this’