Alderney outraged by stone attack on OAP

ALDERNEY residents are outraged by the behaviour of youths who stoned a pensioner. The teenagers hit 70-year-old retired baker Brian Senner on the head with a missile three weeks ago.

The family have offered a reward for a conviction. The story - kept private until yesterday on police advice - has shocked the island's community.

Alderney States President Sir Norman Browse said: 'As I understand it, the youths were intentionally throwing stones and if that's the case, then it's absolutely deplorable. One can only hope the police find the culprits and take proper action.'

The incident has not helped Alderney's image as a tranquil holiday destination.

States tourism officer Jo Parmentier was angered by the attack.

'It's a terrible thing to happen to anybody and it's very sad that it should happen in Alderney. I hope that the culprits are ashamed of themselves for their behaviour and that the kind nature and hospitality of most people on the island make up for this one-off, unfortunate event,' she said.

But it emerged yesterday that this was not the first time stones had been thrown at innocent people. States member Lin Maurice had her own encounter.

'I was driving on Braye Road last year and the kids were throwing stones at my and other cars - it was quite scary, actually. They're not the little angels their parents think they are,' she said.

Although the island does have the reputation of being virtually crime-free, it is now accepted that a group of youths has recently been causing disturbances.

'I don't know what the matter is with them: the kids seem to enjoy driving everyone mad. They've never been as bad as they are at the moment,' said Mrs Maurice.

Helen Southam, who knows most youngsters from her time as the island's youth officer, said the attack was very embarrassing. There's no excuse for that sort of behaviour, they should be ashamed,' she said.

'But it is a minority - most of the kids are fine.'

Many islanders said that children were allowed out unsupervised far too late into the night. Others suggested that the police could do more to control the youths who loitered around St Anne in large groups.

Aurigny pilot Warwick Bayman said an incident of this severity was waiting to occur.

'It's hardly surprising that something like this has happened considering the complete lack of discipline there is for the island's youth. They wander around the centre of Town doing what they want.'

n The attack took place at 8.30pm on Wednesday 20 June. It is suspected that three teenagers were involved, throwing stones from Fort Albert at a bunker where the Senners were staying. A £1,000 reward has been put up by the family for information leading to a conviction.