A BRICKLAYER from Basingstoke has told how he had a lucky escape after his car was attacked by rock-throwing louts.

Dominic Napolitano was one of six motorists who were fortunate not to be killed or badly hurt after their vehicles were targeted by vandals throwing rocks on the A40 in Gloucestershire.

Dominic (pictured), 25, was returning from a funeral in Wales last Monday evening when rocks smashed into the wing and door of his Renault Laguna.

He said: "I was actually driving home after attending a funeral of a friend who had been killed in a car crash and if the rocks that hit my car had been a bit higher, I could have been driving straight towards my own funeral.

"I cannot believe people do this sort of thing. It is just disgusting."

Just before the attack, Dominic said he noticed something out of the corner of his eye and then heard a loud bang as the rocks hit. When he pulled over, he saw the deep dents and realised what had happened.

In the same lay-by where he was examining his car, Dominic discovered a Hampshire couple who had also been attacked by the rock-throwers and whose windscreen had been partially smashed.

Dominic, from Dove Close, Kempshott, said he called the police on his mobile but despite searching the area, officers were unable to find the culprits.

Acting Inspector John Pickersgill, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said that over a 10-day period, six motorists on the A40 have reported damage from objects being thrown at their vehicles.

He said: "There is the chance that incidents like this will cause an accident, leading to serious injury or even death, and we must put a stop to them before they get out of hand."