A gang of yobs kicked in an Oxford man's fence for the second time this year after he asked them to move on.

Jimmy Hayes, 66, of Windale Avenue, Blackbird Leys, says he has had to speak to four youths on several occasions over the past three years, because they shout and kick balls in a notorious alleyway between his house and Pegasus Road.

On Friday, he found the group -- three teenagers and a man in his 20s -- outside his back garden fence and asked politely them to move on. They were there again on Saturday and Sunday night and again he asked them to leave. On Monday morning he found one of the panels in the fence surrounding his garden damaged.

Mr Hayes, who has lived there for 35 years, said: "I can't put my hand on my heart and say it was definitely them, but it's pretty obvious.

"I wasn't well and I was really upset when I saw what they'd done. I could have broken down in tears. "

He has now repaired the fence but fears it will not be long before it happens again.

He had another panel of the fence kicked in earlier this year. He has also been burgled four times.

Mr Hayes plans to take his problem to Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and will be meeting him to discuss what action can be taken.

Those living near the alleyway have frequently complained of problems, including burglars, drug dealers, rats and human excrement.

Oxford City Council granted permission for it to be blocked off in August, but the decision was revoked a month later, angering residents.

Oxfordshire County Council said closing the alleyway was illegal, because it was classed as a public highway. It added that fresh closure moves would have to wait until the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act came into effect next year.