Beans, eggs and sausages thrown at homes and cars in New Romney during bizarre vandalism spree
Published: 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.
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 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.
"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."
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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Sam Williams