A FATHER has condemned youths who threw a rock at his car windscreen, shattering the glass and frightening his severely disabled son.

Thankfully 12-year-old Charlie Fletcher was in the back of the family’s specially adapted car when it was targeted by youngsters standing on a railway bridge near Bishop Auckland on Sunday afternoon (June 26).

Other cars were also hit by rocks thrown from the bridge on Bone Mill Bank that day and Charlie’s father Kelvin Fletcher is urging anyone with information to come forward.

“There was a huge bang when it hit and the glass shattered everywhere,” said Mr Fletcher, from nearby Auckland Park. “I managed to keep control of the car but the outcome could have been a lot worse, especially if my daughter had been in the front seat.

“Charlie’s health problems are so complex that every day is hard for us. Our lives are dedicated to keeping him well and these kids could have ruined it all with one act of stupidity. If they threw one rock you could look at it as kids showing off but they did it repeatedly.

“I didn’t get a good look at them but I would say they were about 12 or 13. It’s hard to tell but they were definitely old enough to know better.”

Charlie and his twin sister, Alanniah, were born prematurely at 26 weeks and both suffer from health problems.

Charlie has cerebral palsy and underwent lifesaving brain, bowel and stomach surgery as a baby. He is still in and out of hospital and is unable to see or walk.

Mr Fletcher, 48, and his wife, Martine, rely on their Fiat Scudo Panorama to take Charlie to the Oaks Secondary School in Spennymoor.

The youngster usually attends for a few hours each day but has been unable to do so this week as the car has been off the road waiting for its windscreen to be fixed.

Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Inspector Warren Edwards said: “The throwing of any objects at moving vehicles is extremely dangerous.

"It may be that the offenders responsible do not comprehend the consequences of their actions, but they need to know that this type of behaviour could result in serious injury or worse.

"The drivers whose vehicles were damaged now face the cost and inconvenience of repair work.

"I’d like to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information about those involved to get in touch, so that we can trace the individuals and speak to them about their actions.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Bishop Auckland neighbourhood policing team on 101 quoting incident reference 275 from 19 June, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.