A petrol tanker driver constantly kept awake through the night by noisy youths faces losing his job.

The 61-year-old has been unable to turn up for work on several occasions after being disturbed by rowdy teenagers.

The man, who only wants to be known as Steve, won't go to work when he is tired because he fears falling asleep at the wheel and putting lives at risk.

Steve of Thameside Crescent, Canvey, said: "I have to get up at 3.30am.

"If I can't sleep because of the noise outside I can't get behind the wheel the next day.

"I am driving 44,000 litres of petrol, if I had an accident it would be disastrous."

Steve, who loses pay when he can't go to work, said: "I don't want to lose my job, but I don't know what to do."

Castle Point council's crime reduction officer Ian Kennedy said: "We tend, when we look at anti-social behaviour, to look at it on a more global basis and probably don't look at it deep enough in personal stories and the impact it has on these individuals.

"I can certainly see why this gentleman is concerned."

Published Thursday January 15, 2004

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