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Police probe hate mail scandal

Sarah Warden
11/ 5/2006

A FORMER Mayor who stepped down from Hyndburn Council last week after 12 years service has become the target of a hate campaign.

Dave Parkins, 56, of Woodside Road, Huncoat, had an insulting anonymous letter hand-delivered to his home address days after the rear windscreen of his car was smashed last Sunday.

He believes the two incidents may be related and both have been reported to police, who are investigating.

Mr Parkins did not stand for a council seat in last week's elections and stood down on 5 May after 12 years representing Huncoat residents.

Three days later the rear windscreen of his car was smashed while it was parked in the courtyard outside the block of flats where he lives.

And on Tuesday he received an anonymous letter.

It contained a copy of a news article about Mr Parkins standing down as a councillor.

Alongside it, handwritten in block capitals, was written: "Good riddance to bad rubbish. I hope U enjoy your political retirement in that dump they call Huncoat."

It went on to insult the ex-councillor with various expletives.

Mr Parkins said: "I think this is absolutely despicable. I gave my best for 12 years as a councillor and during that time I helped a lot of people, both in Huncoat and across the borough.

"This is sheer cowardice. Whoever has done this could have approached me face to face at any time.

"They obviously know where I live, so they could have knocked on the door.

"I have disagreed with people during my time on the council but I have done nothing wrong and I have had the courage of my convictions, unlike whoever wrote this letter."

His replacement as Huncoat councillor, Paul Gott, said: "I'm completely shocked that this has happened, especially to such a good worker and a popular person. It's deplorable."

Huncoat councillor Brendan Shiel, who served with Mr Parkins, added: "I'm saddened by this.

"The person who did it is obviously a sad basket case."