Shock at petrol bomb attack

Scorch marks were left on the road at the spot where Lee Wilkinson and his wife, Lisa, were targeted by three youths on Sunday.

Cleveland Police's Priority Crime Squad is investigating the incident, which happened in Thornaby Road, near Stockton.

Mr Wilkinson, 31, was a passenger and his wife was driving their blue Fiat Bravo when he saw a boy, aged about 15, throw a glass bottle in an over-arm movement.

"They were not far from the road and I saw one of them throw a bottle towards the cars," he said.

"I thought it would hit the car in front but it must have hit close to our front wheel on the driver's side.

"Lisa was concentrating on the road and didn't see him throw the bottle, which is quite lucky because she could have lost control of the car.

"As the bottle went out of view, flames blew up the side of the car, across the bonnet and down the driver's door. It was very scary - especially to think what would have happened if we had the window open.

"The whole car would have gone up in flames."

Police said the couple were travelling near the Harold Wilson Recreation Ground when an object, described as "a petrol bomb or similar" was thrown at the car.

The glass bottle ignited as it hit the road - throwing up a flame that covered the side of the car.

The three boys ran off into the housing estate close to Valiant Way.

Two were aged about 15 and one was about 13. All were white and between 4ft 6in and 5ft.

One wore a white jumper with thin blue stripes across it. All were wearing blue tracksuit bottoms.

Mr Wilkinson said: "I just want to warn other drivers about this. You can't do much about it when a missile is heading for you, but drivers should be more vigilant.

"Then if something does hit - they know what is around them and how they can control the car."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack or anyone who saw youths matching the description to contact PC Smith at Thornaby Police station on (01642) 302226.