A BOOTLE man has blamed a 'mafia of families with a grudge’ for the intimidation campaign that has torn his family apart. George and Virginia Nielson had been in their new home on William Henry Street for a matter of days before their front door was kicked in. The gangs of hooded youths, who began to circle their home on a nightly basis, soon turned their attention to the couple's two cars, throwing bricks through windscreens, dancing on bonnets and firing air-guns at the vehicles. The pattern continued unabated for years, and during a long hot summer of trouble in 2008 Virginia packed her bags to start a new life in north Wales. The broken woman, who had campaigned to save St Winifred's School on Merton Road, vowed never to return to Bootle due to the gangs. Today George, 61, who worked as a crane driver on Seaforth docks until an industrial accident forced him to retire, fights a seemingly endless battle with the yobs and hoodies on his estate. And George – legal guardian to his two grandchildren – feels trapped in the home he shares with them as he cannot sell it. George bought the house to provide the children with some security, and has now poured his life savings in to the doomed property. The derelict block of flats next to his home is a magnet for groups of young men who sit on the roof smoking cannabis and amuse themselves by throwing slates down on to George's home. Four years ago the family were forced to flee their home in the middle of the night when arsonists set fire to the flats for a prank. And the Bootle man, who has a long history of heart trouble, claims the 'mafia' of families on the estate lay behind the campaign of intimidation. He said: “They wanted the house for one of their relatives. It is that simple. My home has now become a prison. “The house is continually bricked, bottled and egged. Rita's bedroom window still has a hole in from the last attack. “Both my cars are badly damaged and I recently caught a lad dancing on my car bonnet. “I bought the house around five years ago and today it is worthless. Who would want to live here? How could I sell it? “When the gangs spot me in the street they hurl abuse, and only recently a taxi driver came to my rescue when two lads were about to attack me. “Some times packs of up to 20 of them congregate outside, and I have been involved in some really ugly confrontations. Although I have my dog for protection, and I refuse to use weapons. “My wife has said that she will never return to Bootle or Merseyside. She is still recovering from it. “I do miss her and we are a family torn apart.” Paul Mitchener, Neighbourhood Manager of One Vision Housing, who are responsible for the neighbouring block of flats, said: “We have checked to ensure the block. It is currently protected by metal doors and the windows are bricked up. “Nobody could casually gain admittance to the block. We have also spoken to the residents living in the adjoining block who are happy with the current security measures. “The block of flats is due for an options appraisal but before any decisions are made on the future of the flats, we need to consult with the remaining residents living in the block and local residents. “In the meantime, if any OVH tenants or others are experiencing anti-social behaviour, you can contact us on our low cost number 0300 365 1111.” | 
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