VANDALS wrecked a luxury sports car in a suspected targeted attack aimed at the Mayor of Kirklees.
A bucket of acid was thrown on the Maserati car parked outside Clr Julie Stewart-Turner’s house in Taylor Hill.
The seven-year-old car, worth £15,000, belongs to Mrs Stewart-Turner’s husband, Darrel Turner.
His other car, an 11-year-old VW Passat, which was parked around the other side of the couple’s house on Stoney Cross Road, was also damaged.
No other vehicles on the street were touched.
Mr Turner, 56, said: “I thought somebody might steal it to order, but why would anyone want to destroy something so wonderful?
“It must be a personal attack, something to do with the council, or the Government expenses scandal.
“I think it’s political – I don’t think it’s against me personally because I can’t think of anyone who would do that.
“Maybe they have seen me in the car and seen Julie being picked up in the mayor’s car and thought that we are wealthy and have done it out of jealousy.”
Mrs Stewart-Turner, a Green Party member who became mayor in May, said: “It seems strange that they have picked our cars and no-one else’s.”
Mr Turner, 56, has only owned the second-hand Maserati for a matter of weeks.
The 3200 GTA model has a 3.2 litre engine, 370bhp and a top speed of 175mph. When new, Maseratis cost in the region of £90,000 depending on the model.
Mr Turner, who runs his own metal working business, fell in love with the car at a show at Earl’s Court in London and decided to treat himself after paying off a number of loans. He has driven it no more than 10 times.
He added: “You work you’re whole life to be able to get yourself something like this and someone wrecks it.
“It’s devastating.”
The attack, which stripped off the paintwork, is believed to have happened between 5.40pm and 6.30pm on Thursday.
Mr Turner said he usually has the car covered up when it is parked at his home.
He added: “The only reason it wasn’t was because a little kid wanted to have a run in the car, so I left it uncovered to take him for a ride.’’
He must now wait to find out if the car can be repaired.
“To write off a car like that for a paint job would be criminal,” he added.
Pc Mark Coulson, who is investigating the case, said: “It’s a strange one. Usually with damage like this you find that it happens to several vehicles on a given street.
“It doesn’t look like it’s one of a series of incidents.’’
Anyone with information should call Pc Coulson on 01484 436568, quoting crime reference number 456042.
