A GRANDMOTHER has been left terrified after yobs threw a large paving slab through her window - just inches above where her grandchildren were sat.

Jeanette Andrews, 71, was hosting a sleepover for her two grandchildren, aged five and eight years old, on Saturday night when she heard a “loud smash” as the paving slab hit her lounge window.

When her son ran out to confront the yobs, they had already escaped the scene with no trace on neighbouring CCTV and ring doorbells.

Jeanette has now been left with a £265 repair bill after the incident in Salem Walk, Rayleigh.

Damage - Jeanette has been left with a repair billDamage - Jeanette has been left with a repair bill (Image: Jeanette Andrews)

She said: “My grandchildren were in their pyjamas, I was going to say ‘it’s bedtime’ and I shut the window as it was quite hot in the room, I heard an almighty crash.

“To tell the truth I was more concerned about my grandchildren, they were crying for my son to not go out there and they were so scared.

“It has been getting bad in Rayleigh, we keep seeing things like this but I have had no trouble here until Saturday.

“I feel anger and fear, I didn’t sleep that night and was aware of every small sound during the night, I was scared they would come back.”

The incident has now been reported to police and the grandmother fears the area has “really gone down hill” in recent years.

Thrown - the paving slabThrown - the paving slab (Image: Jeanette Andrews)

Jeanette added: “I believe it’s youngsters, it is an easy getaway, and they can run off in any direction, it is so dangerous as my grandchildren were directly under the window that smashed.

“It is scary really.”

Jeanette has tried to obtain footage showing the perpetrators but has been unsuccessful, as no cameras are angled at where it was thrown from.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are currently investigating reports of criminal damage in Rayleigh.

“We were called to Salem Walk in Rayleigh at around 8:20pm on Saturday, September 7 following reports of a brick being thrown through the window of a house.

“Enquiries remain ongoing.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact us, quoting incident number 42/137126/24.”