YOBS drove a family out of their home after police and council bosses admitted they could no longer protect them.

After suffering two years of intimidation, culminating in a violent attack, Wendy and Andrew Palmer, from Woodlands, Pontypool, found themselves living in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation with their five-year-old son, Rhys.

The Palmers say they endured daily intimidation by teenage yobs outside their house and in their garden, windows were smashed, their car was vandalised, and eventually Mr Palmer suffered a savage attack.

"We have lost our home, Rhys is not in school - we even had to take our dog to the animal sanctuary, and we left all our furniture and belongings behind," said Mrs Palmer, 40.

Mrs Palmer said they could not use their garden because the yobs would walk through it, then hang around nearby, drinking and taking drugs.

When they did ask them to move from their garden the thugs would just smash their windows.

The couple, who moved to the area from the West Midlands, say they have no idea why they were targeted.

Bus driver Mr Palmer, 44, was made redundant just before Christmas from Two Travel.

He was due to start a new job with Newport Transport but suffered the assault in his front garden days before.

"He was standing on the doorstep and was dragged into the front garden and given a good kicking by a group of youths, and after that we were told to move for our own safety by the council," said Mrs Palmer.

She added: "We're hoping the job will be kept open for him."

Mr Palmer said the trouble had broken his wife's heart.

"These people are walking the streets, laughing, while we have lost everything. They are completely brain-dead.

"But we are taking a stand now. Other people in the area are clearly scared but I will not give up until justice has been done."

Torfaen council vowed to "stamp out" the problem, calling the situation "regrettable and unacceptable".

Community safety manager Dave Jeremiah said the Palmers were moved out of their home for "their own safety".

Gwent Police confirmed they are investigating an assault and allegations of anti-social behaviour.

The Palmers left their house in July and spent a few days with friends, expecting to return home shortly.

Instead they ended up in a hotel, and have now been placed in a hostel.

Steel shutters now cover their windows and doors.