A family are close to being driven from their home by a teenage mob who have terrorised them in a seven year campaign of hate.

James Samele, 49, said his family is in constant danger and have become virtual prisoners in their own home since a 30 strong gang took a dislike to them on Brown Close, Wallington.  

Your Local Guardian:

The "lynch mob" as Mr Samele calls them, some of whom are as young as eight, gather almost nightly outside the family home, which is around the corner from paralympic hero David Weir.

In the most recent incident last week, nearly his whole family were physically assaulted with belts and their home was attacked using a tree trunk.

Some of the appalling behaviour was caught on CCTV after the housing association, Roundshaw Homes, gave the family equipment to document future incidents after years of complaints.
Police are now investigating the latest attack.

One of Mr Samele's daughters had her leg amputated at an early age and has a prosthetic leg, and since their arrival on the Roundshaw estate, she has been singled out for bullying.  

Mr Samele said: "It's been a living hell for the past seven years. We don't know what to do, we just want it to stop.  The last time they came over to the house and started to smash the property up. 

"The police do come but they are often outnumbered and have to come straight into the house and talk to us.  The mob are lawless. 

"I don't know why they are picking on us, we have not done anything wrong.  We keep ourselves to ourselves. I want to see the perpetrators arrested.  Its the same group every time."

Mr Samele's other daughter spent nearly a week in hospital after witnessing the assault on her boyfriend, and she now suffers from panic attacks.

He said: "It's a proper mob who gather there. They encourage each other to shout abuse, throw things, even the eight year old. The language which comes out his mouth is shocking.  I don't think their parents know they are doing it."

A police spokesman said: "Police are investigating an incident during the evening of Thursday, October 3, in which a large group of children had gathered outside an address in Brown Close.
"On arrival of officers, the group immediately dispersed into surrounding roads.

"Both criminal and anti-social behaviour targeting the family within the address were reported to police.

"Such behaviour will not be tolerated and police are working robustly to gather evidence and identify the offenders who will be prosecuted. We are working closely with Hyde Housing so appropriate action can be taken."

Anyone with information can contact Sutton Police Station quoting ref no: 4009508/13 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TODAY'S TOP SUTTON STORIES