A pensioner had to take refuge in a health centre after being stoned by a gang of children on the cycle path where a city councillor was attacked last month.

The pensioner, a woman in her 80s, was terrorised by three boys aged between 10 and 13 while walking along the path behind Fifth Avenue, in Tang Hall.

The desperate woman told the children she had no money, but she was still threatened, verbally abused and taunted by the boys.

She waved her walking stick at the boys and tried to walk away but the children continued threatening her - and even threw pebbles at her back in an attack police today condemned as disgusting.

Sgt Colin Ventress said the woman's ordeal went on for "some minutes" before she managed to walk into Tang Hall Clinic in a "distressed state". She was uninjured but "badly shaken."

Sgt Ventress said: "I am disgusted and appalled that an elderly lady should be terrorised in this way by three youths.

"I wonder whether these youths would treat their own grandparents in such a manner and I am appealing to the public to identify these offenders." The pensioner, who police declined to name, was too distressed to talk about her ordeal. But Lyn Barron, receptionist at Tang Hall Clinic, said: "The lady was very, very shaken. We sat her down and gave her a drink and eventually she told us what happened. What can you say about the people who did this? It's beyond belief."

l At the end of February, local councillor Ruth Potter was mugged on the same cycle path.

Her briefcase was stolen after she was hit from behind with a stick. The attack is not thought to be linked with the incident involving the pensioner.

The first youth being sought in connection with the latest attack is described as ten or 11 years old, with dark hair, wearing a school uniform jumper. The second was aged between 12 and 13, also with dark hair, also wearing a school uniform jumper. The third is described as 13 years old and much bigger and taller than the other two. He was wearing a green waterproof jacket and was carrying a backpack.

Sgt Ventress appealed for anyone with any information about the incident, which took place at about 3.45pm yesterday, to contact York police.

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