Family whose home was raided by masked men in terrifying break-in blast landlords after they failed to fix front door and windows smashed by thugs for eight months – leaving them freezing through the winter
- Anthony Corkill says his family was ‘literally left to freeze’ by housing association
- His home in Hamilton, Leicester, had windows smashed by raiders in August
- But PA Housing only replaced the broken glass last weeks after eight months
A family whose home was raided by masked thugs have slammed a landlord for taking eight months to fix a door and window smashed by the yobs.
Anthony Corkill and his young family were forced to endure a freezing winter without glass in a window and front door following the terrifying raid.
The 38-year-old father-of-three was asleep when masked men used hammers to smash into his home in Hamilton, Leicester.
The thugs took nothing and police quickly dropped the case, and his landlords, PA Housing, used planks of wood to board up the damage.
But, it took eight months for the housing firm to replace the glass – with Anthony saying his family was ‘literally left to freeze’ during the bitterly cold winter.
Thugs, wearing masks, were caught on camera smashing into the home of Anthony Corkill in Hamilton, Leicester on August 5, 2022
The damage to the home was extensive. But it took PA Housing eight months to finally replace the broken glass – with Anthony and has family saying they were ‘literally left to freeze’ over the winter
Anthony said: ‘On PA’s website it says all maintenance requests should be dealt with within 15 days.
‘But, after eight months, we were still waiting for the them to send someone round and replace the glass – it was a nightmare.
‘I have three kids, one of whom is autistic, and we were literally left to freeze.’
PA Housing has since apologised for the ‘unacceptable delay’ with a spokesman added: ‘It should not have taken this long.’
The raid took place in August 2022 and left Anthony’s family traumatised. Thugs smashed the glass panels in their front door and in their living room window – but never entered the property.
Leicestershire Police investigated, and a hammer that was left behind was sent off to be tested.
But shortly after, they concluded the attack was likely a result of mistaken identity, and dropped the case.
PA Housing sent someone round to board up the window and front door with wood to temporarily replace the glass.
Father-of-three Anthony Corkill has blasted his landlord for the delay – with the windows finally replaced last week
The raiders smashed windows in the living room and a pane of glass in the family’s front door
The family were forced to endure a freezing winter with wooden boards over their smashed windows (pictured)
The temporary repair to the broken pane of glass in the front door was finally repaired on March 2
The housing association were under an obligation to fix the damage, but Anthony claims nobody came despite him having chased the firm.
He said: ‘My wife was sleeping on the sofa on the night of the attack, and the shattered glass showered over her.
‘She suffers from PTSD as a result, and we now struggle to feel safe in our own home.
‘Originally PA came out and boarded up the gaps, which was fine as a temporary fix.
‘But after that, I couldn’t get hold of anyone and when winter rolled in, the temperature started to drop.
‘It was pointless to have the heating on, as we still had the cold coming through, so we relied on duvets and blankets – we really struggled to stay warm.’
Last month, Anthony emailed the head office explaining his situation.
They eventually got back to him, and gave him a date of February 27 for the work to be completed.
Police never identified the masked raiders. It is believed they had mistaken Anthony’s home for another one
Anthony said his wife had been sleeping in the living room when raiders smashed through the windows. The thugs never entered the home and fled after their attack
But Anthony said the contractor didn’t show up, and consequently, the job was pushed back again. The glass was finally fitted on March 2, taking just 90 minutes.
Anthony, a stay-at-home, said: ‘The fact they left us to suffer like we did is unacceptable, and PA need to be held responsible.’
PA Housing said it ‘escalated’ Mr Corkill’s complaint but has since apologised for how long it took.
‘We’re really sorry for the experience Mr Corkill and his family has had,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Following the incident last year, we did board the windows and door as an interim measure to make his home safe until the repairs could be completed.
‘However, it should not have taken this long to replace them.’
PA Housing added it will work ‘closely’ with the family to ‘ensure’ they are ‘compensated for the delay and unacceptable service he has received.’
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