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Car wreckers leave cancer patient distraught

10/ 4/2008

A DISABLED man suffering terminal cancer says he has been left ‘dead’ by yobs who wrote-off his car after vandalising it.

Mosedale Road pensioner John Fisher, who has been diagnosed with terminal prostrate cancer, watched in horror as vandals set about his car on Friday evening (4 April).

The 78-year-old, who also battles diabetes and bronchial-asthma was powerless to stop the group who he says smashed in the windows, lights and dented the bodywork of his VW Golf – writing off the vehicle in the process.

Without transport, the former soldier and humanitarian aid worker says visiting his wife's grave and attending vital hospital appointments will now be increasingly difficult.

"Whoever did this has left me dead," said Mr Fisher. "I just don’t understand how someone could do this. They could see the car had a disabled badge on yet they still vandalised it.

"I used the car to visit my wife's grave two or three times a week as well as going to Rochdale Infirmary for treatment.

"It’s not easy for me to get around with all my health problems.

"I’ve been told as the car was 19 years old it won't be worth repairing it, but that car was a lifeline for me."

Mr Fisher, who has lived on the estate for 39 years, said Friday night's attack was the latest and most serious in a series of attacks on his car since the new year.

"Things have been getting worse since Christmas time," Mr Fisher added. "They have smashed windows and dented my car before, but nothing like what happened on Friday night.

"I could see them doing it and shouted at them to go away, but I'm a pensioner, what could I do against them?

"I’ve been all over the world as a soldier and was in Bosnia at the height of the genocide there in the early 1990’s and I've seen similar things happen there

"Those responsible need to be caught and punished before they start thinking they can get away with it and people are afraid to go out and challenge them."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "Shortly after 9.20pm on Friday 4 April 2008 police were called to an address on Mosedale Road, Middleton, following reports of vandalism.

"Officers attended and found a car with three smashed windows."

Anyone that witnessed the incident, or who knows who is responsible, is asked to call GMP on 0161 872 5050.