Strabane Weekly News - News - Woman terrified as attacker jumped on top of her car

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Woman terrified as attacker jumped on top of her car

Thursday, 23 February 2012

A STRABANE woman says she feared she was going to be killed after a man jumped on her car, as it stopped at traffic lights in the town.
The incident happened around 9.30pm on the Melmount Road area of the town on Sunday evening, as the woman travelled back from church in Victoria Bridge.
During the attack, a man climbed on top of her car. The retired health worker, who asked not to be named, said she thought she was going to be hijacked or killed.
Speaking to the Strabane Weekly News yesterday (Tuesday), the woman described her ordeal as 'horrendous'.
Recalling the incident she said: "As I was travelling towards the lights, I could see that they were turning red, so I slowed down to stop. Two men crossed the road from my right-hand side - one mounted the pavement, but the other stood in front of my car blocking me from moving on.
“I couldn't get by him at all - when I went right he went right, and when I went left he went left! All the while he kept his back to me, so I couldn't see his face. He then proceeded to jump on the bonnet of my car and up on to the roof and down the back of the car."
Continuing the woman described how she feared that the incident might take a more sinister twist: "It was a very scary experience, especially as it was so late and there was no traffic on the road. During all my years of driving, I have never had anything like this happen to me. I worked in Belfast during the height of the 'troubles' and never had any bother.
“To be honest I thought I was going to be killed or have my car taken from me. There is an awful lot on the news about people being hijacked - especially in Belfast - and it is always a woman who is targeted -so that thought immediately came to mind."
‘Foolhardy'
Describing the actions of the perpetrators as 'foolhardy', she added: "The actions of this man are at the very least are foolhardy. He had no regard for myself or his own safety and some day someone might not stop for him.
“He might have thought that it was fun, but let me tell him, at that time of night to do that to a retired woman who is travelling on her own - there is no fun in that! I have had great support from my family and friends since the incident and they are absolutely outraged by it."
The woman is so terrified by her ordeal that she is refusing to travel down the Melmount Road again.
“I have been in the car since the incident but I will never travel down the Melmount Road at night. An incident like this does nothing for the town of Strabane. It is the main road into the town from the Omagh side and it does not paint a good picture of this area."
Condemning the incident, Strabane district councillor, John Donnell, who has spoken with the woman, described the incident as 'outrageous'.
He said: "First of all I extend my sympathies to the lady who was subjected to this traumatic ordeal. I have spoken with the lady and she is badly shaken-up by the whole thing.
‘Terrifying'
“It must have been terrifying for her especially not knowing what was going on. In light of the continuing hijacking incidents in the Belfast area, the lady truly believed that her car was being taken from her."
Continuing, the DUP man added: "I totally and absolutely condemn this incident. I would urge the local police to do everything in their power to catch the culprits involved and to make sure that the punishment fits the crime. To instil fear into someone is totally unacceptable.
“The actions of these foolish people have once again put a black mark on this town. I haven't heard of any similar incidents of this nature in the town and I just hope that this isn't the start of this kind of behaviour. I would urge all motorists across the district to be vigilant in light of this incident and if anybody has any information to bring it to police."
Meanwhile, commenting on the incident, a PSNI spokesperson said police in Strabane received a report of an incident at the Melmount Road area on Sunday, February 19.
The spokesperson added that shortly before 9.25pm it was reported that a male ran on top of a car, which was stationary in the area.
“No one was injured during the incident and minor damage was caused to the car. It is believed that the man was in an intoxicated state. Enquiries are continuing," the spokesperson added.