05/02/2008
Belfast’s Own 'Posh And Becks' Targeted By 'Yobs'
Stone-throwing youths have targeted Belfast’s very own David and Victoria Beckham, forcing the high-profile couple to barricade themselves into their own home.
The Posh and Becks fanatics, from west Belfast, sensationally changed their name in 2003 by deed poll and have a plaque declaring their home is now ‘Beckingham Palace’.
Originally Gerard and Elizabeth Donnelly, the couple have been forced to board up their home and install surveillance cameras in a desperate bid to keep local youths from smashing their windows.
So far, every ground window at their home in Tullymore Gardens has been smashed and replaced by wooden boards blocking the light into their home.
David said: "I'll paint over the wood to make it look better but I'm going to keep the boards up. As soon as new glass is put in I know they will come back and smash them up again so it is the only thing to do.
"We are like prisoners in our own home and the house is almost in darkness but we can't take the chance of removing the boards and getting the windows smashed again.
"I bought and installed the CCTV cameras as well to try and keep them away. The cameras seem to be doing the job so far, so fingers crossed."
Victoria added: "I hate not being able to see outside but I don't think we have any other choice. I would just be waiting for the windows to be smashed again."
It is believed that despite the couple’s notoriety, the attacks are not solely in response to their unusual name change and are rather part of a widespread anti-social problem in the area.
Local Sinn Fein MLA Paul Maskey said: "We would urge anyone doing this to stop as it is very unfair to anyone on the receiving end. Those responsible could be putting peoples' health at risk as victims worry about it happening again."
(DW)
The Posh and Becks fanatics, from west Belfast, sensationally changed their name in 2003 by deed poll and have a plaque declaring their home is now ‘Beckingham Palace’.
Originally Gerard and Elizabeth Donnelly, the couple have been forced to board up their home and install surveillance cameras in a desperate bid to keep local youths from smashing their windows.
So far, every ground window at their home in Tullymore Gardens has been smashed and replaced by wooden boards blocking the light into their home.
David said: "I'll paint over the wood to make it look better but I'm going to keep the boards up. As soon as new glass is put in I know they will come back and smash them up again so it is the only thing to do.
"We are like prisoners in our own home and the house is almost in darkness but we can't take the chance of removing the boards and getting the windows smashed again.
"I bought and installed the CCTV cameras as well to try and keep them away. The cameras seem to be doing the job so far, so fingers crossed."
Victoria added: "I hate not being able to see outside but I don't think we have any other choice. I would just be waiting for the windows to be smashed again."
It is believed that despite the couple’s notoriety, the attacks are not solely in response to their unusual name change and are rather part of a widespread anti-social problem in the area.
Local Sinn Fein MLA Paul Maskey said: "We would urge anyone doing this to stop as it is very unfair to anyone on the receiving end. Those responsible could be putting peoples' health at risk as victims worry about it happening again."
(DW)
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