A Stevenage woman has been left heartbroken for a second time in a matter of weeks after thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the car belonging to her late husband.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is thought to have been scraped several times with a brick in a zig-zag motion all the way along its side while it was parked in Woodstock Road, Knebworth.

The 64-year-old woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “My husband loved his old car, it was his pride and joy.

“I was looking forward to using it again and remembering our shared trips and our happy memories.”

The woman’s husband, 69, died in her arms in October after a long period of ill-health during which she cared for him.

She said: “The car was outside my son’s house while he put a few little problems right for me. When my son told me about the damage he was white with shock.

“I’m so terribly distraught by it – it feels as though someone has done this to my husband.”

She is unwilling to make a claim for the damage – which cost around £2,500 to put right – because the car would be written off and it would also put up her insurance premiums.

“I’m a pensioner but I’m now looking for a job so I can pay for the repairs,” she said.

“To the person that did this I sincerely hope it made you happy and whatever pain you were trying to inflict, you will be happy to know you succeeded.

“I forgive you, but I am not sure in the long run that karma will.”

Police are investigating the attack – occuring between 3pm on Saturday, December 19, and 1pm the following day – call 101 if you can help.