A MOTHER has been left scared and shaken after a care home patient tried to force his way into her home.

Amanda Mould said she is afraid to be in her house on her own after she spotted a man lurking in her garden and peering through her window.

At first she went to open the door and ask him what he was doing but noticed a police officer walking up her driveway and quickly tried to lock her front door.

As she did the man, a 21-year old with mental health problems, pushed back against the door and tried to force his way in.

"I was absolutely petrified," said Mrs Mould, 42, of Upperpoole Road, Dursley.

"I pushed as hard as I could to stop him coming in. He was kicking the bottom of my door and pushing back."

The police officer grabbed the man, who is staying at the Slade Care Home in Dursley, and tried to calm him down. However Mrs Mould said he then became quite violent towards the officer, spitting in his face, shouting and hitting him.

"I could see what was happening through the glass window and he was really out of control. The police officer managed to get him down onto the ground and called for back up.

"I was so scared and shaken I called my husband who was at some friends and he came back to the house.

"The police officer came up to the house and explained the man had got out of the care home and had been wandering in people’s gardens."

Sgt Ben Stiles, of Dursley police station, confirmed the man had kicked and punched one of their police officers, but said the officer wasn't injured and the decision was taken not to arrest the man because he was "not in control of his actions".

"I am happy with the action that was taken," said Sgt Stiles. "It was not necessary in this case to arrest the man and he was calmed down and taken back to his care home.

"We do not believe the man in question is a danger to the community, however if anyone does see someone suspicious in their garden they should call us and we will happily come down and deal with them.

"If it does turn out to be this man we will take him back to the care home."

Mrs Mould, who has a 14-year-old son, said: "Everyone has to live somewhere, I appreciate that, but if he is a danger to himself and to the community he should be in a secure home so he can get the care he needs.

"I just wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else. So I just want to urge people not to open their door if they see a man in their garden and just to ring the police."

No one from the Slade Care Home was available for comment.