Teenage yob hurls stone through truck

Dec 15 2011 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

A TEENAGE vandal almost caused a serious road accident in Motherwell after hurling a boulder through the windscreen of a moving lorry.

The Royal Mail truck had left the sorting office in Netherton and was on Shields Drive, near the Bullfrog Pub, when the incident took place at 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 7.

Moments before the incident a group of around eight boys was spotted crossing the road ahead of the truck.

The witness noticed the group walking casually across the road, causing vehicles to brake to avoid hitting them.

However, when they reached the central reservation, one of the youths picked up a large stone and threw it at the truck’s windscreen, smashing it and the driver just managed to avoid the incident causing a serious road accident.

The distraught driver was left extremely shaken by the incident and contacted his employers and police.

Officers searched the area of Shields Tower and Shields Court, where the suspects had last been seen heading, but the youths had disappeared and enquiries are ongoing.

Community safety officer PC James Ruddell said: “The suspect culpably and recklessly threw a stone at a moving large goods vehicle, smashing the window, and endangering not only the driver, but pedestrians and other road users.

“The potential for a serious road traffic crash and potential loss of life as a result of the witness losing control of the large goods vehicle could not be under estimated.

“Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Motherwell Police on 01698 483000 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where calls are free and can be made anonymously.