A WIFE has been left distraught and stunned after her husband collapsed and died while cleaning his vandalised car.

Brian Thorneycroft, 65, was clearing paint poured on his new Rover when he suffered a suspected heart attack and died on the way to hospital.

Now his family hope the yobs will now feel guilty enough to give themselves up.

Mr Thorneycroft’s widow Eileen, 67, of Crestway, Chatham, said: “We are in a state of total disbelief. One moment he was cleaning the car and within an hour he was dead.

“I’m sure the vandals never imagined that this would happen but they now have to live with it for the rest of their lives. We hope this is now on their conscience and they will give themselves up.”

Mr Thorneycroft’s eldest daughter Susan Kurn, 37, of Orpington, said: “It was all so unnecessary. If that car hadn’t been vandalised he would still be with us.We would also plead with anyone who saw the car being attacked to contact the police.”

Mr and Mrs Thorneycroft had been in their sitting room when the car was vandalised, just a few feet away outside on their driveway. Red-coloured paint was poured on the six-week-old silver Rover between 9 and 11pm on Saturday.

Mrs Thorneycroft said: “We heard nothing, but then a neighbour saw the damage and told us. Brian began cleaning the car and I saw him collapse as I was bringing out more water for him.

It is also more of a shock because Brian was very fit. He had had a mild heart attack 13 years ago but had not had to see his doctor for a long time.”

Mr Thorneycroft kept active through hobbies such as gardening and was a baker for Tesco in Strood. He was due to retire next April.