A CARER and the frail pensioner she looks after have had their home attacked by yobs for the third time in a year.

Catherine May, 45, the live-in carer of Robert Winwood, 78, went to bed just after midnight on Friday at their first-floor flat, in Goirle Avenue, Canvey.

When she woke, she noticed a hole in the kitchen window, which she believes was caused by a BB gun or airgun.

She said: “The kitchen window has been put in again and I’m absolutely petrified.

“It doesn’t even look like it has been caused by a stone. It looks like a gun shot.

“I was sitting in the kitchen watching football and then went to bed after midnight and when I woke up I noticed it.”

Mrs May said it was not the first time the home she shares with Mr Wood had been targeted by vandals.

She said: “This is the third time this has happened. First was the kitchen window, then the lounge window was smashed and now it’s the kitchen window again.”

Police have recently launched an operation to stop youngsters causing trouble in the Avenues area of Canvey.

Spokesman Alan Jones said officers were investigating, but it was too early to say what had caused the damage.

He said: “I can confirm we received a report of criminal damage caused by unknown means to a window at the premises.

“Our investigations into the incident continue.”