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Beans, eggs and sausages thrown at homes and cars in New Romney during bizarre vandalism spree

06:00, 14 September 2021

updated: 14:43, 14 September 2021

Two pensioners have been left shaken and scared after the contents of a 40p tin of Aldi beans were thrown at their front door.

Their house in Joseph's Way, New Romney, was one of a number of homes – and vehicles – left covered in baked beans, sausages and eggs following the bizarre spate of vandalism.

Baked beans, sausages and eggs were thrown at homes and cars in Joseph's Way, New Romney. All pictures: Cllr Sheila Mclachlan
Baked beans, sausages and eggs were thrown at homes and cars in Joseph's Way, New Romney. All pictures: Cllr Sheila Mclachlan

Sheila Mclachlan – who is one of Britain's first woman priests – was at home with her mum Guelda Sammers when she saw a light shining at the door before hearing a thud and voices.

Ms Mclachlan, who retired as a vicar in Ashford in 2015, said: "I opened the door and thought it was blood at first. But then realised it was beans, sausages and tomato juice.

"The can was also left behind."

The food came from a can of Corale Baked Beans with Sausages, from Aldi.

Following the attack on Sunday night, the mother and daughter called the police.

The discarded food came from a tin of Corale Baked Beans With Sausages from Aldi
The discarded food came from a tin of Corale Baked Beans With Sausages from Aldi

The next morning, they discovered more homes and vehicles had been targeted.

Ms Mclachlan, who moved to Romney Marsh six years ago and is also a town councillor for New Romney Town Council, said: "It was only the next morning we realised the extent of it.

"Three houses have been egged, we've been beaned, a car was beaned and there's another house which was either beaned or egged.

"We initially thought it was targeted but we're not sure now as so many houses were hit. My first thought was it was to do with me as a town councillor, but I don't think so now."

But the incident has left Ms Mclachlan and her mum feeling shaken: "It's unnerving," she said.

The offending can was left behind
The offending can was left behind
Beans were also thrown over cars in the road
Beans were also thrown over cars in the road
The incident left the pensioners feeling shaken
The incident left the pensioners feeling shaken

"It makes you think will it happen again.We're both pensioners, we're both disabled. It is scary.

"We're still shaken today.

"Even in all my years as a vicar I've never had anything like this."

Rev Sheila Mclachlan during her last service in 2015. Photo: Paul Amos
Rev Sheila Mclachlan during her last service in 2015. Photo: Paul Amos

Ms Mclachlan said she was aware of a group of teenagers causing trouble on the estate but added that she could not be sure it was them.

Police are now investigating. A spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 10.35pm on Sunday, September 12 following a report that food items had been thrown at a property in Joseph's Way, New Romney.

"Initial enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident."

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