TRICK or treaters had a smashing time on Saturday night in St Albans. But for home owners Andrew Freeman and his wife Frances it was no treat to come home on Halloween to find their precious stained glass windows all broken. The couple from Hamilton Road

TRICK or treaters had a smashing time on Saturday night in St Albans.

But for home owners Andrew Freeman and his wife Frances it was no treat to come home on Halloween to find their precious stained glass windows all broken.

The couple from Hamilton Road, St Albans, decided to go out to dinner to escape the nuisance of door-knockers hoping to be given sweets and or money.

But while they were out - some time between 7.30pm and 9.30pm - marauding youngsters threw four oranges through the windows of their house - some of the panels of which were stained glass.

Andrew, 53, said: "We feared the worst at first for our cat Sooty who sits in the front room window which was one of the damaged panels.

"It will cost around �500 to repair the damage but a couple of the stained glass panels were the work of a friend and had even more of a sentimental value."

Police were called to the 1930's semi and the incident logged but neighbours did not appear to see who did the damage.

Andrew said he feared the oranges might have been given instead of sweets which could have angered the trick or treaters.

"Or they may just have been annoyed that there was no-one answering the door at our house. We will probably be able to claim on our insurance but the stained glass sections cannot be replaced."

Police are appealing for witnesses to ring 0845 33 00 222 quoting crime reference number F1094866.