Mystery OAP-vandal strikes again at Collier Row doctors surgery
The man is seen throwing paint on the front of the surgery - Credit: Archant
A mystery pensioner believed to have been vandalising a doctors’ surgery for more than two years has struck again, and this time came face-to-face with a receptionist.
The Bay Tree Medical Centre, Collier Row Lane, Collier Row was covered in red paint - Credit: Archant
Since November 2013 there have been more than 20 incidents of paint being thrown up the wall and on workers’ cars at Bay Tree Medical Centre, Collier Row Lane, Collier Row. Cars have also been keyed.
In November, the vandal was caught on CCTV keying cars in the driveway and throwing paint on them, but police were unable to trace him.
However, on December 17 a man was seen by a receptionist at the surgery.
She said: “I was looking at the camera. I saw a man walking away and thought he looked like the man from last time.
The Bay Tree Medical Centre, Collier Row Lane, Collier Row was covered in red paint - Credit: Archant
“I jumped up and phoned upstairs. I opened the door and saw red paint everywhere and knew it was him. He was just walking away.
“I ran across the road and got in front of him and shouted at him ‘what are you doing?’.
Most Read
- 1 Proposal to bulldoze Romford shops to make way for 15 homes
- 2 'A social club for the community': 90-year-old Hornchurch snooker hall to close after 'losing battle' over lease
- 3 Bid to turn Harold Wood motor shop into three-bedroom home refused by council
- 4 Plans for new Gidea Park fries and chicken takeaway rejected
- 5 Man on trial for Brentwood double murder was in 'flight mode', court hears
- 6 'I hadn’t done anything wrong’: Romford man wins five-month fight over parking fine
- 7 MP Julia Lopez announces resignation as minister and calls for PM to 'step aside'
- 8 Coroner: Romford man's death followed 'unacceptable failure' in care
- 9 Romford pair to 'bring a little bit of raving' to 'more mature' Hornchurch community
- 10 Man arrested after allegedly begging while armed with hammer
“He just growled at me and walked off. My partner is angry at me for not following him but it was dark and I was a bit scared.
“It was definitely the same man, about 65, not very tall.”
The vandal is seen walking away - Credit: Archant
Police came but could not find the man, who walked down Rosedale Road towards the A12.
“The surgery looks like a murder scene with all the red paint on the front of it,” the receptionist added.
Dr Velautham Kuhan, who has owned the surgery with Dr Mazhar Mahmood since 1999, told the Recorder in November he believed the vandalism was targeted but had no idea why it was happening.
“Having your place of work covered in paint is not very nice,” said Dr Kuhan. “It seems very planned. It’s affected morale.”
Dr Kuhan said patients often wonder why paint is splattered across the front of the building, but after re-decorating it once and being attacked again within days, he and Dr Mahmood have decided not to bother until the culprit is caught.
If you have any information call 101 quoting 6956/03Nov.
