Police are investigating after vandals “booted in” a teenager’s car while she was visiting her brother in hospital.
Shannon Grant parked outside Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin so she could visit her six-year-old brother, who was having teeth removed.
The 17-year-old, who only recently passed her test, was only inside for about 45 minutes but when she returned to main car park she was horrified to discover the 2014 black Renault Clio had been badly damaged.
The front and rear bumpers had been severely dented, and the back parking sensors had also been broken.
Shannon, who went to the hospital on Monday with her parents and boyfriend, said last night: “It was quiet enough when we came in about 10.30am. Nobody was about.
“We came out, shortly after 11am or 11.15am, we were walking to the car and my dad was joking that the car was marked with the way the light was hitting it through the trees.
“But we got closer and realised that the whole front end had been booted in beautifully.
“It wasn’t a small dent either. The way the front passenger wing was it couldn’t have been another car.
“It has been purposefully done. The back parking sensors were kicked in and there is no paint scraped or anything.”
After checking with the hospital’s reception desk and porters about CCTV, the group discovered the incident happened “millimetres outwith the camera’s reach – leaving Shannon with an expensive repair bill.
She added: “We just can’t work out why someone would do this. We are not the most social people and if we are we have never had a problem with anyone, so I cannot think of any reason anyone would have to target us.
“I have only just passed my driving test. If we find out who did this, they will have a lovely bill to pay, and if anyone owns up, I would like to know why they did it.”
Police last night said they were working with hospital management to catch the culprit.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm that we were made aware of damage to a car at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin at around 10.30am on Monday.
“Inquiries into the matter are ongoing.”
Speaking on behalf of hospital management, an NHS Grampian spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the report and are following procedures.
“We will assist the police as required.”
Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans urged anyone with information to contact the police.
She said: “It is just wanton violence in a hospital car park, which is generally used by staff and visitors.
It is just outrageous and disgraceful behaviour.”