Pool table vandalised as ongoing power struggle in old people's home intensifies

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 09:13

IT STARTED with pool balls going missing and a bingo night being cancelled.

Now a bizarre power struggle between elderly residents at an Edinburgh sheltered housing complex has escalated into a police investigation amid claims of malicious vandalism.

It is understood a long-running dispute between different "cliques" at the Calder Gardens facility in Sighthill escalated when a pool table in the communal hall was attacked last week.

Police have confirmed an investigation is under way and appealed for help to "locate those responsible".

Several residents said they suspect the vandalism was "an inside job" and the latest development in a feud which has gathered pace since the election of a new residents committee in March.

The pool table, which was donated to resident Elizabeth Mitchell, 75, by a local taxi company, appears to be particularly contentious and was targeted before, with all of the balls stolen.

Ms Mitchell's daughter – also Elizabeth Mitchell, 45 – said: "It was something that a lot of the relatives liked to play when they came round on Fridays, particularly the youngsters, and it was well used by residents too.

"We called in the police, although it looks like it was someone at the complex that did it. It's just so unfair.

"A few people are causing problems for everyone else, but this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable."

Priscilla Cairns, 54, has been a resident at the sheltered housing complex for five years. She said that the new committee were "a law unto themselves".

She also claimed that they had "hijacked" the committee elections so they could run the hall as they saw fit.

"It is completely out of order now, and no-one was particularly happy with the elections because it was all arranged in advance so they would win," she said.

"Since then they have just been unbearable. They refused permission for one resident to have a 75th birthday party in the hall because it was bingo night, but they've cancelled a bingo night later in the year for their Christmas party.

"The incident with the pool table is just the final straw. We don't know who has damaged it, but there's no sign of a break-in so it must have been a resident, or someone else with a key."

Elizabeth Hitchin, who runs Picturesque Party Plan in Glenrothes, has been holding events in the hall for over 15 years, but was recently told her annual Christmas event would have to be cancelled. She plans to put in an official complaint to the council about the running of the hall.

She said: "It is really shocking what has happened there. It used to be a real fun, happy wee community, but recently I've found that people are almost scared to go into the hall. It's like they are being bullied.

It needs to be sorted."

The complex is operated by the city council, and a spokesman said:

"As with any group of people living together, differences can arise and we are working with the residents to resolve them."

A police spokesman said:

"Inquiries are ongoing to locate those responsible."