'MINDLESS' vandals have left a woman scared to leave her home.

Cranage resident Graham Browne says his wife is afraid to go outside after their property was targeted by vandals.

Having let his chickens out on Saturday morning (June 15), Mr Browne returned a few hours later to find their coops toppled and his garden fence destroyed.

He said: “I thought it was just a couple of fence posts pushed over, but the scale of the damage only became apparent when I had a proper look.

“I was shocked and upset, and I feared for the chickens.”

The fence was also destroyedThe fence was also destroyed (Image: Supplied)

Mr Browne, 80, has occupied two sections of land, bordering a public footpath, behind his home on Knutsford Road since 2006.

One section he purchased and the other he claimed under the ‘adverse possession rules’, with the Land Registry currently processing his claim.

He says that over the years he has tried to restore the land which had been left to waste and was covered in rubble and rubbish, by planting bulbs and a laurel hedge.

Saturday’s vandalism saw the fences around this land destroyed, along with damage to the hedge and two of Mr Browne’s hen houses, which were overturned.

“I am aware that there are some people who object to the footpath, but I cannot understand the mindlessness and sheer cruelty of the attack,” Mr Browne said.

“My wife is now actually afraid to go out.”

Mr Browne has reported the incident to Cheshire Police, who are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At 9.10am on Saturday police were made aware of reports of criminal damage at an address on Knutsford Road, Cranage.

“The caller reported that sometime between 7am and 9.10am an unknown offender had damaged their garden fences and also overturned a henhouse.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 1847831.”