'Shock' theory to woman's death

Residents reported disturbances in the past

An inquiry has been launched after a 91-year-old woman died following an attack by vandals.

Margaret Farquhar was found shortly after 1800 BST on Sunday evening in the Ashgrove Court sheltered housing complex in Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

Officers said they "strongly suspect" that the pensioner died as a result of the trauma she suffered when a window was broken.

Tayside Police have appealed for witnesses and called on the people responsible for breaking the window to contact them.

The school holidays are the worst time for trouble but it happens pretty often

Elderly resident

A spokeswoman for the force confirmed that forensic experts were combing the flat for clues to what happened.

"A full forensic team is making a thorough examination of the flat to determine the exact cause of death," she said.

People in the 35-flat complex said vandals had been making their lives a misery.

Residents, who did not want to be named, described how their homes and others in the area had been subjected to attacks with stones, bottles and fire in recent years.

A 74-year-old woman said: "This has been going on for so long and you just feel like a prisoner in your own home.

"I have to keep the gate locked and you can never leave the window open.

A window in the woman's home was smashed

"At my age I just want to enjoy myself but I can't do anything after dark.

"My son has to pick me up if I want to go anywhere. This used to be the quietest place, but not any more."

Her neighbour, a 75-year-old man, claimed youths had on various occasions gone into his garden, smashed greenhouse windows and set a hedge alight.

He said: "It's terrible that something like this has happened, but no one's been bothered about this place before.

"The school holidays are the worst time for trouble but it happens pretty often.

"It's just an element down there, who come into the area flinging stones, leaving bottles of drink, smashed bottles, and you see lots of needles about as well.

'Serious crime'

"If you say something to them they just swear at you."

A spokesman for Bield Housing Association, which owns the Ashgrove Court complex, said the company was carrying out its own inquiry to establish the facts locally, but he said he was aware that youths had been in the vicinity of the flats previously.

He said: "At the moment the information that we have is that police are investigating the incident as a possible serious crime.

"We are aware that some youths were in and around the area and it would appear that a stone was thrown through the window and that the tenant in the flat concerned has died.

"Police are carrying out enquiries locally and there's not a lot we know at this stage."

An incident room has been set up in Blairgowrie police station. Anyone with information is asked to call 01250 872222.