A Margate resident had to call police and was told to stay indoors until officers arrived when a thug damaged his car -as well as those of two neighbours – and then smashed a window with a metal pole at his mum’s Mere Gate home on New Year’s Day.
Will Sanderson, who had stayed overnight at his mum’s after a stint behind the bar at a local pub, was woken by the sound of smashing glass and was then told to stay inside the property until officers arrived when he made the emergency call.
Kent Football Association worker Will said trouble first started the evening before while he was doing a stint behind the bar of the Princess of Wales pub.
The 30-year-old said: “This man came in with a baseball bat looking for someone who wasn’t actually in the pub. We took the bat off him and moved him away.
“Then, about 7am a neighbour’s car was damaged, so was mine and so was another car.
“I didn’t wake up until about 10am when a metal pole was put through the front room window.
“The man was covered in blood and in a rage. I phoned police and they told me to stay indoors until they turned up, which was about 10 minutes later.
“They couldn’t control him and had to call in extra police.
“I had just woken up so it was not the best experience. I finally got a call from police (yesterday) lunchtime.
“I feel there was a lack of welfare care. I was told to stay inside but then they went off and no-one checked if people were ok. I realise police were having a job and maybe trying to support the ambulance staff but thought they would have checked on everyone earlier.”
Will says he has since been told officers didn’t realise he had also suffered damaged property as well as another resident in the street despite his earlier 999 call and a second investigation will now take place. He added that fortunately his mum had already left for work before the incident.
He says he has insurance but the £2,283 repair bill means the loss of no claims cover and he also couldn’t get to work in Maidstone this week because of the damage and train strikes.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called to a report of a disturbance in Mere Gate, Margate shortly before 10am on Sunday 1 January.
“Officers attended the scene and arrested a 26-year-old man from Margate in connection with the incident.
“As he was injured, he was taken to hospital for treatment by patrols before he was taken to custody. He was cautioned after admitting being drunk and disorderly, kicking the wing mirror of a car and possessing a small quantity of cannabis. He must also pay £250 compensation to the vehicle owner.
“It was reported that another car and a house had been damaged during the disturbance.
“Officers have spoken to the victim and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”
Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/990/23.
