A MOTHER of two says she was "terrified" when a gang wearing balaclavas smashed the windows of her Garndiffaith home with bats.

Sally-Ann Lewis, 37, says she is unable to sleep after two incidents in a week at her house in Lasgarn View.

The first incident happened on Wednesday evening, just before 9pm, when she was in the house watching television with one of her teenage sons.

Mrs Lewis said: "I was in the living-room when the first window was put through, and I called the police straightaway.

"Four windows were smashed altogether. I was terrified they would get into the house."

Police have not commented on whether or not the attacks are part of a vendetta and Mrs Lewis' partner, Wayne Williams, said he did not know the reasons.

A house in nearby Gwyn Crescent was damaged minutes earlier, when the door and windows were smashed and a car vandalised.

There were people in that house also, but no one was injured in either incident.

Mrs Lewis claims another of her windows was smashed at around 1.30am on Saturday.

"I have lived here about 12 years and it's been fairly peaceful until recently."

Gwent Police said ten to 15 people were involved in the incident on Wednesday night. Five people were arrested in connection with the incident and have since been released on police bail.

Detective Inspector Martin Price said: "I believe people living in the area will have information that could help us catch these offenders."

* Anyone with information is asked to contact Pontypool CID on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.