A Fife traveller has been left in “total shock” after vandals ransacked his caravan and set fire to a number of prized possessions, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Jim O’Connor (65) has lived at Auchtermuchty common, lying to the north of the town, for the past decade.
On Saturday night, while he was staying with friends, his caravan was ruthlessly targeted by thugs who gutted the home, breaking windows, tearing out cupboards and even destroying clothes.
Then a large bonfire was started around 100 yards away, out of sight of the main road, where a wooden framed two-wheel horse gig and a four-wheeled cart belonging to Mr O’Connor was set ablaze.
The normally tranquil area, regularly used by dog walkers, is now the scene of a police investigation.
Mr O’Connor told The Courier that police had recovered a mobile phone left behind.
“I have never had anything like this before. They have absolutely wrecked everything — all my clothing, the building, they even bust the doors off the caravan,” he said.
A large party involving youths from across the area is understood to have taken place on the night and there was still evidence of this on Monday with around 50 discarded alcohol bottles scattered across the common.
Mr O’Connor believes the attack could be racially motivated.
“They are probably not bad kids but with a drink that changes.
“The settled community could learn a lot from travellers. I know when I was young I was never out of sight,” he said.
Well known in Auchtermuchty for his charity work and his three horses which he uses in parades across north-east Fife, Mr O’Connor has received remarkable reaction from local folk and elsewhere in Fife in the wake of the mindless act.Overwhelmed”I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Auchtermuchty people. They have offered to give me money and a place to stay,” said Mr O’Connor.
“A sawmill in Newburgh even contacted me to give me some wood, free of charge, which I could use to rebuild.”
Lending a helping hand on Monday was Heather Winship, chairwoman of the MacDuff Trust which maintains the common and works in partnership with Mr O’Connor on a grazing conservation scheme.
“The trust has never had any bother with Jim and we are saddened to see his current predicament.
“He is very popular with dog walkers and his horses graze on the common which is exactly what it needs to help maintain the creatures and plants on the land.
“We are very sorry for him,” she said.
Despite the devastation Mr O’Connor pledged to stay at the site and plans to buy a new caravan.
“Travellers are fairly resilient people and it won’t take me long to get back on my feet,” he said.
Police say the incident occurred between 3.30pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.