Three assault Umina activist

Umina activist Mr Edward James was assaulted by three people on Saturday, February 13, in front of his West St home.

The incident was witnessed by about 20 people around 10pm, according to Mr James.

"I heard people banging on the front fence and the yelling of obscenities.

"When I looked out my window to see what was taking place, I saw two young men had scaled the fence and were in my front yard throwing pieces of my property over the fence and onto the road," Mr James said.

"When they saw me, they continued to yell abuse armed themselves and attacked me.

"I was able to lay my hands on a shovel and eventually beat them off."

According to Mr James, police arrived and interviewed him and onlookers.

Police had been investigating an alarm at two nearby shops, saw the commotion and came to investigate.

The police later informed Mr James that two people had been identified by the onlookers.

There were eventually several police cars and ambulances outside Mr James' property.

Cec Bucello, February 17