Estate's racist thugs drive out terrified asylum seekers

The family, including a four-year-old girl and an 18-month-old boy, left Stockton's Hardwick estate under the cover of darkness this week to start a new life on the south coast.

They sought asylum in the UK after being persecuted by President Mugabe in their native Zimbabwe.

Sent to Stockton on September 7 by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), the family arrived in Whickam Road to discover a terraced home without plumbing, electricity or furniture.

But it is was not the state of the privately-owned house which forced them to flee the region - it was their racist neighbours.

The family claims:

* racist abuse was aimed at the whole family, including the four-year-old at school.

* stones and bricks were thrown at the house.

* there was been hammering on their front door at night.

* torches were shone through their letter box.

Nyarai Phiri, 21, lived there with husband Stephen, 31, their children Amanda, four, and Brian, 18-months, and her sister Vimbai Mazheru, 15.

Describing their torment, she said: "We fled Zimbabwe because Mugabe's henchmen were after my husband. They even tortured my daughter to find out where he was.

"We had to leave, but we never expected Britain to be like this - to be terrified of leaving the house because of being spat at, sworn at or worse.

"I had to take Amanda out of school in Stockton because other kids were calling her 'bad'.

"I had a nice life in Zimbabwe and I only want to live in a safe place for my children. We have friends in Brighton, so we will start again there. When I think of Stockton I will think of bad people."

An NASS spokeswoman said the Home Office agency attempts to house refugees sensitively. She said: "The point is to send them to areas which are suitable, which will include factors like the make-up of the local community and the availability of support and accommodation.

"We do monitor the way accommodation providers fulfil their contract with NASS."