Newtownabbey hate crime victim believes attack was racist
The window of a house occupied by a woman and three children was broken in the early hours of Friday, in an incident police are treating as a hate crime.
Kerry Ann Brown, who lives in the house with her three sons aged between 10 and two, said she believes her property may have been attacked because she is black.
“I don’t know what to say to them (her children), because I don’t even know myself why it has happened,” she told the BBC.
“The only conclusion I can come to is that I am black, I’m an ethnic minority.
“There are so many other houses in the street and mine is the only one that has been attacked.”
Police said they received a report shortly after 2.10am that a window had been broken at the house in Linford Green area of Whiteabbey, Newtownabbey.
UUP councillor John Scott condemned the attack as cowardly, and said it is the latest in a series of incidents at the property.
“I understand the house has been attacked before, that racist graffiti was involved in that attack and that the police are treating this latest incident as a hate crime,” he said.
“This is a totally unacceptable situation which will disgust the vast majority of people in Rathcoole who simply wish to live in peace and harmony with all their neighbours, regardless of colour, creed or nationality.
Anyone with information is asked to call the new non-emergency number 101 or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
