A PARTIALLY-sighted York pensioner says she is at breaking point after allegedly suffering years of torment from a gang of teenagers.

Beryl Slater, of Acomb, claims the youths have thrown dog excrement at her windows, shouted abuse and broken into her garden on several occasions.

She has called the police out seven times in the last month, but they have yet to find evidence of wrongdoing.

"I go to bed at 6pm every day because I'm too frightened to stay up," said Beryl.

"It's a living hell - I'm like a prisoner in my own home."

Beryl, who says she also suffers from arthritis and asthma, believes she is being targeted because of her disabilities.

She says a dozen youths aged between ten and 15 "constantly" break into her garden and shout obscenities

"They take the mickey out of my blindness," Beryl said.

"I've asked them to move on but it doesn't do any good. I'm forced to keep my curtains drawn and doors locked all the time.

"My doctor said I should see a psychiatrist because it has been giving me nightmares. I'm a nervous wreck."

Sergeant David Kirby, based at Acomb police station, said: "We've had about seven incidents reported in the last month from Mrs Slater about kids throwing stones and being in her garden.

"But we've never found any evidence of damage or seen any youths hanging around.

"Each incident is investigated on its own merit and we will continue to do so."

Updated: 10:06 Thursday, December 19, 2002