Exclusive young family’s terrifying ordeal when doorbell footage captures sword-wielding neighbor trying to break into their home
Footage obtained by MailOnline shows 29-year-old Firas El Hezzaji attacking a house
A young family was horrified when their doorbell grabbed their next-door neighbor and tried to break into their home with a three-foot sword.
According to MailOnline, Firas El Hezzaji, 29, is seen in horrific footage attacking their home with a metal blade.
But despite being arrested at the scene incredibly, El Hezzaji returned to their neighboring home just 24 hours later after being fined for criminal damage.
The man in the house, who we are not naming in the contract, said: ‘He broke down our door and if he had been able to get to me I think he would have broken down on me too.
‘I can’t believe we’re expected to stand by this man when he terrorizes us like this. He might seriously hurt my wife or my little son next time.
Firas El Hejjazi was captured on doorbell footage trying to break into the family’s home before a passerby stopped him.
A young family was horrified when their doorbell grabbed their angry next-door neighbor and tried to break into their home with a three-foot sword.
‘My wife is pregnant and we have a young child so feel particularly vulnerable now. This is madness.’
The incident, on Tuesday in a quiet residential area of Braintree, Essex, was the culmination of months of bad feelings and anti-social behaviour, the victim said.
‘He is a restless man who has raised a grudge against us for no reason. He thinks we have done something against him which is simply not true.
‘His behavior is impossible to live with – he’ll play rap music full of swearing at deafening volumes in his back garden while our toddler tries to play in his paddling pool just a few feet away.
‘Living here has become very stressful and unpleasant for months.
In the disturbing footage, Firas El Hezzaji, 29, can be seen attacking the family’s home with a metal blade.
Swordsman Firas El Hejjaji attacked his next-door neighbour’s home after ‘months of ill-feeling and anti-social behaviour’
‘Then this week he went completely insane and started attacking our house with a sword. Thank God we weren’t there at the time but the neighbors who saw it were terrified for our safety and theirs too. His partner had to intervene to try to calm him down.
‘The police were called immediately and we told them all the background and watched the footage of what they had done – so when he was arrested and taken away we hoped and hoped we would never see him again.
‘Instead just 24 hours later we were told he was back here. He was just fined. How could it not be a more serious crime – affray perhaps – that could attract a longer sentence.
‘He brandished a dangerous weapon round with real menace – how much more menacing could it be.’
Days before the attack, Firas El Hezzaji was seen walking outside the family home
The family was horrified to find Firas El Hezzaji outside the family home after dark in September last year
The couple have been inundated with support since sharing footage of the incident and have been in dialogue with their local MP, James Cleverley, about trying to get their safety concerns taken more seriously.
An Essex Police spokesman said: ‘We were called at around 4.15pm on July 18 to reports of damage to a property in Braintree.
‘Firas Hejjazi, 29, of Braintree, was arrested and later charged with criminal damage.
‘He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on July 19 and pleaded guilty to the charges. He was ordered to pay £1,500 compensation.’
Mr Cleverly has been contacted for comment.
Share or comment on this article:
Read Full News Here