'It could kill someone': Homeowner raises alarm over powerful 'catapult' dangers
A Newport pensioner has spoken out to alert others to the potential dangers of what he thinks could be someone using a high-powered catapult.
In one incident a piece of builder's hardcore was launched what must have been 70 or 80 yards with such force that it broke the first layer of glass in a double glazed unit at the garage of John Stringer's home in Juniper Road.
"You would have to be an Olympic athlete to throw a piece of hardcore the size of a small supermarket doughnut that distance by hand," said Mr Stringer, aged 77.
"The glazier told me he can hit double glazing hard without it breaking and that he thought it would have to have been fired by something really powerful, some sort of catapult - but not the sort of catapult that I used as a boy."
Mr Stringer's friend Audrey Masters posed with the hardcore lumps at his home this week.
"It's not so much about my experiences, it is the harm that this could cause someone. It is going to kill someone. It is really serious," he said following the incident on Friday.
The lump of hardcore, believed to be from an 'ammunition pile' of local building work, did not make it through the second layer of glass in the garage window and damage an old Peugeot car inside. The car holds sentimental value for the family.
"There have now been two incidents," said Mr Stringer who turned to the Shropshire Star to issue his safety warning after being unable to contact local police or councillors.
"A fortnight ago a rock hit my conservatory roof after not having the power to reach the house and hit the floor.
"Then on Friday at about 2.30pm I was walking away from the bins when I heard a loud bang and the garage window shattered.
"My message to other people is to be careful. If someone is using that on people someone is going to be killed.
"I tried to call police on 101 twice but I spent ages on trying to get through," he said.
"I have also sent a message to the local council but haven't heard anything back.
"It's important to tell people what is going on because the damage that could be caused to people or animals from whatever is being used that frightens me.
"It is very, very serious and people - and perhaps parents if children are involved - should be aware of this."