A group of East Lothian schoolchildren have been left gutted after a gang of drunk teens broke into their activity centre and destroyed the inflatable assault course that had been specially constructed for them. The yobs also verbally abused shocked staff after being asked to leave.
The group of young teenagers, around 12 years-old, were believed to be boozing on 'vodka' and 'cactus jacks' before deciding to pay the Musselburgh daycare centre a visit on Wednesday afternoon.
READ MORE: Edinburgh volunteers pluck Glock pistol from Water of Leith in terrifying find
The sickening raid took place on July 27 at 3.30pm in the afternoon at Pinkie St Peters Out of School Club. Police were called but are yet to visit the centre to take a statement.
Kirsty Clarke, 31, who manages the nursery, was shocked after spending months fundraising to buy the outdoor equipment to discover it had been carelessly broken by the group - leaving the kids on their summer holiday with nothing to play with.
Horrified parents have now set up a fundraising page to reimburse the nursery and help replace the toys. Speaking to Edinburgh Live Kirsty said: "We unfortunately experienced some anti-social behaviour yesterday. We had organised inflatables for the kids at the centre and a group of drunk teens came in while the kids were inside on their snack break and caused £600 worth of damage.
"It was 3.30 in the afternoon, the kids were inside eating their snacks when they came in and wanted a shot on the bouncy castle. I let them on it for five minutes or so but when I asked them to leave they became verbally abusive."
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
The group of teenagers were fairly young and drunk grasping bottles of vodka the care manager explained. She said: "They were only first or second years, and were completely drunk. They were drinking straight vodka and brightly coloured cactus jacks.
"The kids were quite upset when they found out. They had been excited about the the inflatables course and we had just bought all the other new toys at the start of June."
She continued: "It's really upsetting and disheartening after all the fundraising, it just feels like we are back at square one."
A Police Scotland spokesperson told Edinburgh Live: "On Wednesday, 27 July, police received a report of damage at Pinkie Road. Officers will be speaking to the reporter to gather more details."
You can find out more and donate to the fundraiser here.
READ NEXT:
- Edinburgh Harry Potter fanatic disproves JK Rowling's denial that city inspired book
- Edinburgh bar worker groped by politician on stag do while she served drinks
- Edinburgh Airport bar sorry after drinker fumes at 'horrible barmaid' and state of pint
- Edinburgh rail workers and politicians join picket line outside Waverley Station
- Edinburgh fund manager attacked ex-wife at £1m mansion during 'toxic break-up'
