OAP wins legal fight after being charged for vandalism

AN 86-YEAR-OLD woman has won a court battle with Scotland's largest housing association after being sued over a £277 repair bill.

Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) took Mary McDonald to court when she refused to pay for damage after yobs regularly vandalised her tenement block.

GHA claimed she had to foot the bill due to her being the sole home-owner at the flat in the city's west end. But she and campaigners argued the association had "failed their duty of care" by delaying work to stop vandals.

The pensioner was back at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday as her fight reached a conclusion. Sheriff Martin Jones QC brought cheers from her supporters as he found in her favour. He agreed GHA had let down Mrs McDonald - and that she should not have to stump up the cash.

Later, the pensioner was in tears as she hugged daughter Cathy and wellwishers outside court.

She said: "I was a bit tense with it all coming to court, but, when I thought about it, I felt that I had to come here and fight my case.

"I like staying where I do and it came to the stage with the vandals, and having to always pay for repairs, that I thought I could take no more. I am delighted that the sheriff found in my favour."

Mrs McDonald - who is almost deaf and suffers from osteoporosis - got her first bill in 2003 after young yobs targeted the tenement in Knightswood.

The teenagers regularly downed alcohol, smashed in windows and doors, and tossed rubbish in gardens.

Housing campaigner Sean Clerkin said the decision was "complete justification" for all GHA tenants.