By Graham Huband

THE DISABLED wife of a Dundee teacher convicted last month of assaulting two school pupils told last night how her family had been tormented by local youths.

Moira Barile said her family are living on tenterhooks following a spate of attacks on their home and car since her husband Mike was found guilty of the assaults last month.

There has been a groundswell of support for Mr Barile since the case was concluded, after the presiding sheriff made it clear he viewed the offences as minor in nature and said the 51-year-old would probably not have found himself in the dock if he had not been a teacher.

Mrs Barile said yesterday her family had been left scared to go out because of the campaign being directed towards them.

The latest incident occurred on Hogmanay, when Mr Barile was confronted by a youth as he bought groceries at a shop in Teviotdale Avenue.

Mrs Barile said her husband left the store and got into his car, but up to four youths blocked his route as he tried to drive away, and his car was struck by what is thought to have been a soft drinks can.

The incident is the latest in a string of attacks on the Bariles’ house and car in recent weeks.

On several occasions, the family’s car has had its tyres deliberately punctured and eggs were thrown at windows.

Superglue has even been squirted into the lock of the family’s front door.

Mrs Barile said the whole family were at their wits end, and she had even taken to having a camera at her bedside at night in the hope of catching anyone damaging their property red handed.

“It is really frightening that we can’t even go round the corner to get a newspaper without being attacked,” Mrs Barile told The Courier.

“I’m getting neurotic now and I’m even going to bed with a camera every night.

“My husband had gone out to the local shop to get a newspaper and when he was in the shop a young boy came in and started verbally abusing him.

“He walked out of the shop and went back to my car, but when he was driving away the young lad and two or three others jumped in front of the car and prevented him driving any further,” she added.

“My husband immediately phoned the police but the boys weren’t the least bit bothered and they had a bottle they threw against the car.”

A police spokesman last night confirmed they were investigating the incident.

He said, “We received a complaint of a vandalism in Teviotdale Avenue, about 5.10 pm on Hogmanay, where a missile appears to have been thrown at a green Renault.

“We would appeal for any witnesses to come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact the police in Dundee on 0845 6005705 or information can be passed anonymously via the Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555111.