Disabled woman's 'invalid car' is vandalised because it is 'devaluing our flats'

A DISABLED woman has told how she had notes pushed through her front door branding her mobility scooter an "invalid car" and claiming it is devaluing surrounding flats.

Valerie Burke parks her scooter on the pavement outside her flat in Norfolk Square, Brighton, but said since moving in last summer it has been pushed down the road, trashed and had paint thrown on it by vandals.

The 64-year-old said she has also been subjected to handwritten notes demanding she move it.

One which she showed The Argus reads: "Please move your vehicle. It is blocking the pathway and devaluing our flats!"

Another says: "Please move this invalid car so it does not block pathway."

Despite the notes, Mrs Burke is allowed to park her scooter on the pavement, according to the council.

She said: "I have done nothing wrong. Why would you smash it up like that? I think it's disgusting. Whoever did this shouldn't get away with it.

"It's going to cost me £6,000 to fix it. I can't drive it because they have wrecked it. It's not right."

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said parking scooters on the pavement was a grey area and that officials use their judgment depending on the circumstances.

He said: "It depends on the extent of the obstruction - in this case there is clearly space to pass on the pavement - and enough space for a wheelchair or baby buggy.

"The permanence of any obstruction might also be an issue - and the same would apply with anything left on a pavement.

"In the case of a disabled person's transport a council would typically tread quite gently because people would expect the authority to take into account the wider value of a disabled person being able to get about, against any disadvantages to the rest of the community in not being able to use that small bit of pavement."

A Sussex Police spokesman said the force received a report that a disabled person's mobility scooter parked in Norfolk Square, Brighton, had been damaged to such an extent that the £6,000 vehicle was no longer usable.

He added: "The victim had previously reported a similar attack in August last year."

Anyone who saw damage being caused or who may have other relevant information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.hq or call 101, quoting serial 415 of 09/01.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.