AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me. Edited to remove the word 'sufferer')
Andrew Rawlings, 22 and friend Freddie Burnett, 21, of Tiverton, were walking home after a night out on Monday, November 16 at around 11pm when two well-built males followed them from the top of Belmont Road to Andrew's house near the Pinnex Moor Road junction.
RESIDENTS have been warned to be vigilant after two men were harassed on their way home after a night out.
Andrew Rawlings, 22 and friend Freddie Burnett, 21, of Tiverton, were walking home after a night out on Monday, November 16 at around 11pm when two well-built males followed them from the top of Belmont Road to Andrew's house near the Pinnex Moor Road junction.
Andrew who has Autism, and Freddie who has Asperger's syndrome both play for the Twyford Spartans Ability Counts team and said it was "very scary and very weird."
Andrew said: "We noticed them walking behind us, so we started walking quicker. Then they started walking quicker.
"We then crossed the road on several occasions and every time we did, they did too."
Freddie added: "They spoke with a foreign accent and kept asking us what we were doing. Because we didn't reply, they just kept saying things to us.
"I think they were just out looking for trouble.
"Normally, Andrew gets home and walks his dog to my home in Queensway, but we just stayed at Andrew's house and his dad gave me a lift home."
When the two boys got to Andrew's house he alerted their parents Jeff and Tracey Rawlings to the situation.
The two men remained outside on the corner of the road looking across to their house for around 15 minutes after they had gone inside.
Mother, Tracey Rawlings said: "They were very agitated when they got home.
"We phoned the police straight away fearing for the safety of the boys, as the two men knew where they were and could have done anything.
"They were fortunate that they didn't have to go far. I think that if they had to go somewhere darker or further away there may have been a different outcome.
"The fact that you have a lot of other things going on in the world at the moment; it can upset somebody like Andrew mentally."
Mrs Rawlings warned other people to be vigilant when walking through Tiverton at night.
"Think of a plan if you're walking home don't and don't walk home by yourself," she said.
"Stick to lighted areas as much as possible, and try and look where you can go if you think it's going to be scary.
"Call 999 if you are scared as the police will stay on the phone with you until you get to somewhere safe
."
Father Jeff Rawlings who manages
the Twyford Spartans Ability Counts Team and is also a member of Tiverton Town Council added: "I'd like people just to realise how potentially dangerous situations like these can become if you don't take them seriously.
"I'd also like to thank the police for their support and advice during the evening."
Police have advised Andrew and Freddie that if it happens again they can phone the police and encouraged them to knock on the door of a lighted house and ask for help.
SOURCE: http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/...ed-harrassed/story-28226883-detail/story.html
Andrew Rawlings, 22 and friend Freddie Burnett, 21, of Tiverton, were walking home after a night out on Monday, November 16 at around 11pm when two well-built males followed them from the top of Belmont Road to Andrew's house near the Pinnex Moor Road junction.
RESIDENTS have been warned to be vigilant after two men were harassed on their way home after a night out.
Andrew Rawlings, 22 and friend Freddie Burnett, 21, of Tiverton, were walking home after a night out on Monday, November 16 at around 11pm when two well-built males followed them from the top of Belmont Road to Andrew's house near the Pinnex Moor Road junction.
Andrew who has Autism, and Freddie who has Asperger's syndrome both play for the Twyford Spartans Ability Counts team and said it was "very scary and very weird."
Andrew said: "We noticed them walking behind us, so we started walking quicker. Then they started walking quicker.
"We then crossed the road on several occasions and every time we did, they did too."
Freddie added: "They spoke with a foreign accent and kept asking us what we were doing. Because we didn't reply, they just kept saying things to us.
"I think they were just out looking for trouble.
"Normally, Andrew gets home and walks his dog to my home in Queensway, but we just stayed at Andrew's house and his dad gave me a lift home."
When the two boys got to Andrew's house he alerted their parents Jeff and Tracey Rawlings to the situation.
The two men remained outside on the corner of the road looking across to their house for around 15 minutes after they had gone inside.
Mother, Tracey Rawlings said: "They were very agitated when they got home.
"We phoned the police straight away fearing for the safety of the boys, as the two men knew where they were and could have done anything.
"They were fortunate that they didn't have to go far. I think that if they had to go somewhere darker or further away there may have been a different outcome.
"The fact that you have a lot of other things going on in the world at the moment; it can upset somebody like Andrew mentally."
Mrs Rawlings warned other people to be vigilant when walking through Tiverton at night.
"Think of a plan if you're walking home don't and don't walk home by yourself," she said.
"Stick to lighted areas as much as possible, and try and look where you can go if you think it's going to be scary.
"Call 999 if you are scared as the police will stay on the phone with you until you get to somewhere safe
."Father Jeff Rawlings who manages
the Twyford Spartans Ability Counts Team and is also a member of Tiverton Town Council added: "I'd like people just to realise how potentially dangerous situations like these can become if you don't take them seriously."I'd also like to thank the police for their support and advice during the evening
."Police have advised Andrew and Freddie that if it happens again they can phone the police and encouraged them to knock on the door of a lighted house and ask for help
.SOURCE: http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/...ed-harrassed/story-28226883-detail/story.html
