Acid vandals target community angel

AN ELDERLY Hampstead Garden Suburb woman fears she is being targeted in a spiteful hate campaign after vandals covered her car in acid and grafitti.
Mary Mulvey, of Queen’s Court, Hampstead Way, woke up to find her red Peugeot ruined after a corrosive substance was poured all over it. Graffiti had also been sprayed across the back and sides.
With much of the paintwork ruined, the car has effectively been written off.
The incident is just the latest and most serious in a spate of attacks targeting the 72-year old.
Ms Mulvey discovered the vandalised car last Thursday morning.
She said: “ I felt sick when I saw it. This was not just a little bit of graffiti – it was a nasty, aggressive attack.
“No other car nearby was touched. So it looks like mine was deliberately targeted.
“I don’t know why they did it. Perhaps they just wanted to deprive me of my car for the holiday weekend.”
The retired psychologist had been planning to drive down to visit her daughter in Colchester for a long weekend and a special treat – a double celebration of Easter and her birthday. But the trip had to be cancelled.
Shocked friend and neighbour Monika Sokol said: “It is very nasty. The car is absolutely destroyed.”
On at least four occasions in the last 18 months, Ms Mulvey has found spit on her windscreen and back windows. She suspects these incidents may be linked to the attack last week.
Although the area is largely peaceful and friendly, Ms Mulvey believes some people have made an enemy of her.
On various occasions she has reported recent verbal abuse and aggressive anti-social behaviour to the police.
But she is generally popular in the neighbourhood where she has lived for the past decade, and has become known for her kindness to neighbours and for her community work.
Miss Sokol added: “She is a an extremely helpful person who is always helping out in the community.
“She will drive neighbours to the hospital or shops, and she is always listening to other people’s problems and giving out advice.
“I have never met anyone like her before. She is a little angel.”
A Barnet police spokesman said: “Officers investigated but there were no witnesses or CCTV and no opportunity for any forensic investigation. The victim has been referred to victim support for further advice and assistance.”
Police are appealing for any further witnesses or information on the incident.
Anyone who can help should contact Barnet Police on 0300 123 121 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.