A NEWPORT grandmother is living in fear after a log was hurled through her front window.

Doris Ryan, 79, was in bed when her home in Bettws, was attacked at 1.45am on Sunday.

The next morning she found shattered glass all over her sitting room and was too scared to spend the night alone.

Mrs Ryan said: "I had just finished reading in bed and was settling down to go to sleep when I heard a terrible bang.

"I checked the doors but they were fine. It was only in the morning that I saw the mess. I couldn't believe it.

"I've been up here 43 years with no real problems. The neighbours are wonderful. But these youngsters are roaming the streets looking for trouble."

The log was taken from the garden.

The council boarded up the smashed window and it was set to be replaced yesterday.

Granddaughter Maryann Mabe, 37, of Monnow Way, said: "Earlier this year yobs set fire to her conifer trees. She had to call the fire brigade.

"She's in a state of shock. My son had to stay with her on Sunday.

"She lives alone and is a very independent woman. But this has made her nervous and afraid to go out. It's disgusting. People in Bettws are trying hard to do things for the kids and then something like this happens to an old lady.

"This is pure vandalism. We were bored as kids but we didn't do things like this. There's no excuse."

Inspector Mike Panting, of Bettws Police, said his officers are investigating the incident.

He added: "Because this is a main thoroughfare, mindless incidents of criminal damage do occur frequently. It's often difficult to identify offenders."

He said Police Community Safety Officers patrol the area in the evenings and that several problem individuals are awaiting court hearings for antisocial behaviour orders.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Crimestoppers on 01633 838 111.