Mum speaks of brick attack horror as she held her baby

Published on Wednesday 6 February 2008 09:25

A YOUNG mum has told of the terrifying moment she was showered in glass as she cradled her three-month-old baby in her arms.

Claire Howden was about to feed her baby girl when a brick smashed through her front window.

The 20-year-old needed stitches after shards of glass left a two-inch gash in her left arm. She has been scarred for life.

The young mum said a neighbour had seen a teenager running down the road moments after the incident.

Speaking at her home in the city's Stenhouse Street West, she said it had been a miracle that baby Bethany had survived unscathed.

"I went to pick up my baby because she was moaning for milk. I picked her up and the brick came right through the window," she said.

"It could have killed her or left her brain damaged. There was no motive for it. They must have seen me through the window, they must have seen me picking up my baby. She had blood on the side of her face but luckily it was my blood. She was just shaking with the noise. It's an image I'll never be able to get out of my head.

"It was so lucky it was just me that was hurt and not her. There was blood all over the blanket. I had a really deep cut and it makes me sick just thinking about it."

The young mum, who lives with her mother Teresa, 39, and brothers Alan, Richard and James, said a neighbour had seen a "laddie wearing a grey hoodie" running down the street after the window was smashed. She added that neither she or her baby had been able to sleep properly since the incident at around 12.30pm on Sunday.

"Bethany's been upset since – it's like she knows something has happened. I haven't really slept since it happened and she's only been sleeping for five minutes at a time and won't stop making noises.

"I sleep with one eye open and she's been awful funny – she's been up and down, up and down."

Claire was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance following the attack and received stitches for her arm wound. Police are now checking CCTV cameras in the area in the hope of catching those responsible.

Claire added: "I'd like to know how those who did this would feel if it was their baby. I want justice for my baby – nobody's making her a target and getting away with it."

Grandmother Teresa said she had run into the street after the incident in the hope of catching those who had thrown the brick.

"I just ran out to see who it was but they were already away. I was shaking like a leaf," she said.

Lothian and Borders Police said the incident appeared to have been motiveless and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "It is extremely lucky that the baby girl escaped any injury, as her mother's arm shielded her from the falling glass. Nevertheless, the woman was still left with significant injuries, which required hospital treatment."

Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.