Grandmother left shaken after window is smashed by 'missile attack' as she drove with granddaughter

A “missile attack” has left a grandmother scared to drive in the dark after her windscreen was smashed as she travelled home with her young granddaughter.

Joyce Brand, 61, had been to the chemist to pick up medicine for her four-year-old granddaughter Crystal, when an object was smashed through the front window.

Joyce, from Newham Grange, in Stockton, said she feared for her safety as she heard “the loudest bang in my life” as the missile smashed through the window.

The attack happened on Durham Road bypass, in Stockton, at about 7.30pm on Sunday. The bridge runs between the Primrose Hill and Ragworth housing estates.

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The bridge over the A177 Durham Road Bypass after driver Joyce Brand had a stone thrown at her car

Grandmother-of-nine Joyce said: “I think I am still in shock to be honest. My main concern was for Crystal, I had no idea what had happened, I just heard the loudest bang I’ve ever heard in my life.

“I managed to keep control of the car and pulled over to check on Crystal, who was hysterical. We had been to the doctors as she had a temperature, then that happened. It was terrifying.”

The windscreen was left cracked and damage was caused to the bonnet of the car, a grey Citroen C4.

Damage to the car windscreen

Joyce who is a full-time carer to her son Philip who has Down’s syndrome said she now feels nervous to drive at night, especially under bridges.

She said: “It’s really knocked my confidence in the car, even more so because it was dark when it happened so I couldn’t see anything.

“I just want to warn people to be cautious when driving round that area because if these people have done it once, they will probably do it again. My windscreen can be fixed but next time it could be a lot worse.”

PC John Smith said: “Fortunately no one was injured in this incident, but the outcome could have been very different. Those who throw things at vehicles need to know how dangerous this is. It could kill someone.

“Anyone with information regarding those responsible is asked to contact police.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incident or those responsible

is asked to contact PC John Smith from Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.