Pubdate: Thu, 21 Nov 2002
Source: Evening Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Northamptonshire Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/news/tele/index.asp
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2272

NIGHTMARE GOES ON FOR LSD GIRL AGED SIX

A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl is still terrified of all teenagers nearly six
months after being cruelly tricked into taking an LSD tablet.

As she played just yards from her home, Nicola O'Connor was given the
hallucinogenic drug by a group of youths who told her it was a sweetie.

The youngster endured a 12-hour nightmare in June as the powerful
class A drug took effect on her nervous system, leaving her hysterical
with fear.

Her mum Joanna said: "She won't go anywhere near anybody of that
age group.

"It doesn't matter who they are, she is still scared of them in case
it happens again.

"When we are out she is really clingy at times."

The youngster, who was five at the time of her ordeal, was too young
to give proper descriptions of her tormentors to the police and no-one
was caught.

Joanna said: "I really fear that something like this is going to
happen again to another child.

"These sick idiots have already got away with it once. I feel really
sorry that Nicola has to feel so scared now."

Joanna is planning to move her family, including daughters Jessica,
seven, and Natasha, three, away from their council flat in Arran Way,
Corby, which they moved to in April.

Her hope is to be rehoused somewhere close to Woodnewton Infants
School, which Nicola attends.

Joanna said: "There are youths who openly take drugs around here.
"On Sunday someone set light to clothes I had hanging on the washing
line. It is no place to bring up children."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake