'Lucky to be alive' after brick is thrown through windscreen (From Penarth Times)

'Lucky to be alive' after brick is thrown through windscreen

A YOUNG Penarth driver is lucky to be alive after a brick was hurled at the windscreen of his car.

Eighteen-year-old Matthew Brice was travelling along Lavernock Road towards Penarth, at 11pm, on Friday, May 30, when a projectile hit the car.

The Fairfield Road resident said: "We were told that if the brick had been a few inches lower, I may not be here today. One minute I was driving along, the next minute I was swerving on to the bank. I saw two hooded youths before the impact. It was a shock. "

Matthew's car is in such a state it may have to be scrapped. He said: "I had to save up for a long time to buy this car and now I have to rely on public transport or lifts."

Matthew and passenger James Ferguson were unhurt.

Police sergeant Roger Davies said: "We are aware of the incident. The missile was a quarter of a house brick.

"We cannot say that it was definitely thrown at the car, but the damage points to something or someone hurling the projectile at the vehicle."

He added: "As for the two youths, we did not manage to find them on the night and the passenger did not see any object thrown."

Sergeant Davies added: "There is a problem with youth annoyance in the Sully area.

"The majority are well behaved - it is just a few who damage property. Some youths do take drugs and drink alcohol while congregating in the area."

The incident mirrors an attack by two nine-year-old girls in Surrey who were caught on CCTV throwing a brick on to cars from a footbridge over the M25. Matthew's father, Ashley, said: "The boys were really shocked and shaken up. It makes my blood boil."