Single mother living in fear

A single mother is afraid to continue living in her ground-floor flat after a fire outside her son’s bedroom window on Saturday night.

Miss Cara Beall, 36, of Lover’s Lane, Newark, said the fire was the final straw after more than three years of problems at the property.

She said a sofa, left on a communal area outside her flat, went up in flames just after 11pm.

She and her son were asleep and the first they knew about it was when fire engines arrived.

She said firefighters said they had been very lucky they arrived in time to put out the fire quickly, so it had not spread to the home.

She thought the fire was started deliberately and said she had endured many problems, which started six months after moving in.

She said two windows were smashed by vandals; a shopping trolley was pushed under her front door handle trapping her inside; her washing line was cut, and both she and her son endured constant abuse and name-calling.

Pc Martin Drew, the beat manager for Newark town centre, said they were aware of a small number of reports relating to the address.

“We take any report of harassment seriously and work with all parties involved to find solutions to the issues raised,” he said.

“We have a dedicated team of officers working in this area who tackle local priorities and aim to help improve people’s quality of life.”

The business services director for Newark and Sherwood Homes, Mr Stephen Feast, said they took allegations of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously.

“We have been in constant contact with Miss Beall to gain the necessary evidence to take action against the perpetrators and once this is in place we will, if necessary with our partners, take action in line with agreed policies and procedures,” he said.

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