A FAMILY are pinning their hopes on a new home after having their lives ruined by young thugs, who have vandalised their house.

Single mother Shirley Ridley said holes have been drilled in her wooden front door and lighted paper pushed through from outside.

On another occasion, a brick was thrown through the window of her son's bedroom.

Fourteen-year-old George, who suffers from mild autism, was left covered in glass and was so traumatised by the incident he is scared to go to sleep. The youths responsible - all aged from their early teens up to about 20 - regularly shout abuse and foul language at anyone who dares to challenge them.

"They are at their worst when they've been drinking," said 41-year-old Ms Ridley.

"I tried to ignore it at first but it has just got worse and worse. Why should my children have to listen to that sort of thing when they are trying to go to sleep.

"I know the police are aware of the problem and have told me they will be keeping an eye on things, but it doesn't seem to have made that much difference."

Ms Ridley has asked the council if it will consider finding her a new home where she can bring up George and 11-year-old brother Daniel in safety. But she claims she has had little luck so far.

She said: "I was offered a housing association property but the rent was higher than I'm paying now and I can't afford it. However, when I told the council that, the officer hinted that, if I turned it down, I could be moved lower down the priority list."

Ms Ridley also claims Richmondshire District Council has told her she will have to pay for the damage to her property in Cut Purse Lane herself.

"I told the council it was kids who smashed the window but was told tenants are responsible for any damage to their properties. I cannot afford to pay the bill so the window will have to stay boarded up."

Council housing chief, Colin Dales, said the authority was sympathetic to Ms Ridley's plight.

"We do have policies which allow us to deal with cases of harassment - which include relocation - but it can take some time to examine possible solutions, he said.

"For example, if we can establish who these youngsters are and they turn out to be from other council houses in the area, we can speak to their parents and warn them that, if they allow their children to continue with their behaviour, they could be in breach of their tenancy agreements.

"In extreme cases, we can move victims of harassment, but it is not something which can be achieved overnight."

Mr Dales said he would be examining why Ms Ridley had been told she would have to pay for the broken window.

He said: "It is true that tenants are responsible for their properties, but if the damage is caused by something over which they have no control, then the council will cover the cost of repairs.