A SOLDIER returned home from Afghanistan to find vandals had attacked his car with paint stripper and slashed his tyres.

John Pearson discovered the damage to his £14,000 2004-reg black Jaguar Xtype when he arrived home in West Rainton, near Durham City, for two weeks’ rest and recuperation.

He said: “I’m absolutely disgusted. It’s only a small village and I know a lot of people.

“To come home and find my vehicle like this is ridiculous. It’s terrible.”

His fiancee, Andrea Turver, said: “I’m absolutely devastated. I don’t feel safe anymore.

“I’m shocked and distraught to think someone could do this while he’s out in Afghanistan fighting for our country.”

Guardsman Pearson, 23, is a member of Right Flank, a company from the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.

He had been in Afghanistan since January and is due to return for another two months in two weeks.

Guardsman Pearson, whose brother Steven is also serving in Afghanistan with 1st Battalion Scots Guards, flew into RAF Brize Norton on Tuesday.

It was only when he arrived in West Rainton that he learned of the vandalism.

His mother, Beverley Bilton, said: “I’m devastated. To think I’ve got two boys out there – the family’s got enough trauma.

For somebody to do something like this is absolutely sick.”

Guardsman Pearson plans to marry Ms Turver, a 23-year-old hairdresser.

However, their plans to honeymoon on the paradise Indian Ocean island of Mauritius have now been thrown into doubt.

He said: “I’m concerned about our honeymoon plans now. I don’t want to leave the house empty.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365.