A DISABLED couple, who claim their lives are being made a misery by gangs of teenagers, were subjected to a search by armed police after the husband was accused of brandishing a firearm at three girls.

Sixty-three-year-old Donald Hattersley and wife Gweneth were astounded when they opened their front door in Sandalwood Gardens, Sutton, to find themselves surrounded by police - some armed with rifles.

Donald, who was also diagnosed with cancer last year, was then taken outside his home, part of a sheltered housing complex, and searched for a firearm by the officers acting on information supplied by three teenage girls.

A distraught Mr Hattersley said: "I was staggered when the police turned up outside and ordered me out of my home. Then they searched me and when they were convinced there was no weapon on me they came in and searched the bungalow." The grandfather-of-seven continued: "The police came back later and apologised which is all very well but my wife and I are both disabled and I have also been having treatment for cancer. We shouldn't have been put through this sort of treatment on the hearsay of three young girls. We were so badly distressed the police sent for a doctor to check us over."

Anne Barker, warden at the complex, told the Star: "We have had problems with kids for years and they seem to be getting worse. Two weeks ago one of the pensioners had two windows broken by kids throwing stones and a few nights later I was hit by a stone thrown by a young lad as I went to put my bin out.

"The problem is there are too many ways into the complex. If there was just one access point and a high fence at the back of the car park I'm convinced that a lot of our problems would be solved.

"The majority of residents here are elderly and they could do without children throwing stones at their windows and cars, they just don't need this sort of aggravation."

A council spokesman commented: "We are aware of the problems being faced by residents, and representatives from the council's housing department and crime prevention officers will be visiting the complex to discuss security measures which may go some way to preventing the existing problems."

A spokesman for St Helens Police said: "The new sector sergeant for the Sutton area, Sgt. Brian Tredant, has been made aware of the problems at Sandalwood Gardens and will be in contact with the warden.

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