My 20 years of hell at hands of yobs on Vale

A man living on the Vale estate claims thugs and yobs have made his life a living hell for '¨20 years.
Gary Deegan standing next to his torched transit van.Gary Deegan standing next to his torched transit van.
Gary Deegan standing next to his torched transit van.

Gary Deegan, 51, says he is being targeted and his life is being made a misery .

In the latest incident in a catalogue of arsons and damage, Gary’s transit van parked on his drive on the Lancaster estate was set on fire and police are investigating as the fierce fire could have spread to his house, endangering his life.

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Gary said: “I was looking after my stepfather, who has cancer, when the fire started.

The interior of Gary's transit van, full of rubbish which was piled in and set alight.The interior of Gary's transit van, full of rubbish which was piled in and set alight.
The interior of Gary's transit van, full of rubbish which was piled in and set alight.

“A few days after I lost my mum they targeted me, I didn’t have time to grieve for my mum.

“I have never been able to take my mum anywhere in 20 years because of people who are thugs.

“They got all my clothes which were in bin bags, a recycling box and other rubbish, piled it in the van and set it on fire.

“Every time I get a vehicle it gets burnt out.”

The interior of Gary's transit van, full of rubbish which was piled in and set alight.The interior of Gary's transit van, full of rubbish which was piled in and set alight.
The interior of Gary's transit van, full of rubbish which was piled in and set alight.

The catalogue of incidents Gary says he has endured are:

lNine caravans trashed

lEight vehicles smashed up or stolen

lWindows smashed

lScrap metal stolen out of the garden.

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lThe family cat paralysed after being thrown at his van, which had to be put down

lLetter box ripped off and post stolen.

lA jeep burnt out

l A television stolen through the back window of his house

lFireworks being thrown through the letterbox

l CCTV cameras put up for 
security pinched or destroyed

lBricks thrown through the glass in his front door.

Gary said: “I’ve had a fireproof bag put on my letterbox in case they put a firework through again.

“I’ve had a bottle thrown at me which smashed on my head.

“Friday and Saturday nights are the worst, they are all out sometimes on their own and sometimes in groups.

“The latest fire could have spread to my house or the house next door. I don’t know why they are doing it. I’m getting sick of it, it is ruining my life.

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“Even if you had 10p they would take it off you. Why can’t they just leave me alone?

A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said: “We are aware of the problems Mr Deegan has been experiencing including the arson attack on his vehicle in July. Mr Deegan’s estate manager will be making further contact with him to discuss the problems he has been experiencing.

“If Mr. Deegan is unhappy with his current accommodation, his estate manager will be happy to discuss options with him.

“Since the incident, Mr Deegan has submitted an application to rent a garage from the council and will be offered one if there is a vacancy.”

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Police said in the most recent incident, between July 22 and 23, an unknown person approached the transit van on the driveway and started a fire in the cab. Police say it was arson with intent to recklessly endanger life. Enquiries are still ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting crime number WB1605901.

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