Smashed screen strands John, 75

A DISABLED pensioner has had his Christmas spoilt by vandals. The windscreen of 75-year-old John Billien's car was smashed while it was parked in Paris Street, St Peter Port.

Mr Billien, who lost his left leg about 10 years ago, is not covered by his insurance for the damage.

'It's certainly ruined my Christmas. Who knows what the expense will be?' he said, yesterday.

'There's a building site opposite where it was parked and it seems like they have thrown concrete blocks at the windscreen.'

He usually parks his automatic Mitsubishi Colt in a disabled bay in the street near his house, but had moved it to a temporary bay because of a builder's skip.

Although he does not know how much the windscreen will cost to replace, he believes it will be hundreds of pounds.

'I'm an OAP and haven't got that kind of money.

'You can't keep relying on the family,' he said.

Because of his disability, Mr Billien relied on his car to go out.

'I go up to the Ron Short Centre twice a week and I like to go as far as the Bridge to look at the boats. I'm more or less tied to the house now.'

He also faces the extra cost of a tow truck to take the car to the garage.

'I hope they enjoy Christmas better than I will mine,' he said.

His daughter, Joan Annetts, said Mr Billien was stuck at home as a result of the Friday night attack on his car.

'I'm just annoyed.

'I think we're looking at '400 to '500 and it's not covered by insurance. Somebody on a pension can't afford that. I just hope whoever did it feels guilty.'