A Fairlie man fears a ‘sniper’ hiding in trees is taking pot shots at windows in his house.

Norrie Barr was shocked to find a round hole (pictured) in his close window in Main Road when he got in from work last Tuesday afternoon.

“It just looked like a bullet hole, small and perfectly round, in the 8ft by 4ft window which has 6mm toughened glass,” he told the “News”. “Stones being thrown up by traffic could not do this — it has hit the window with considerable force.” This was the second time the window, on the first floor of the building, has been hit in mysterious circumstances.

On the first occasion six weeks ago the glass was smashed and a small white stone was found under the window, which made Norrie think that a catapult had been used.

But this latest incident has sparked suspicions that someone with a rifle is hiding among trees on the opposite side of the street and firing at the window, although he admits he hasn’t found any projectile.

Norman, 60, a company manager who is also a presenter on Irvine Beat FM, said: “If someone had been standing at the window they could have been killed. It is nerve wracking.

" I don’t think this is children, because a rifle would be heavy for them to carry. I fear it is someone camouflaged by the trees taking pot shots at the window. I have reported the matter to the police.” “It makes you wonder if someone is running about with a gun of some sort. It’s potentially very dangerous. Anyone could walk in among the trees which provide perfect camouflage for a sniper.” After the first incident, Norman and his partner Jeanette Marner, 54, a staff nurse in the renal unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, replaced the damaged 4mm pane with a thicker, 6mm, window which has toughened safety glass costing about £1,000.

Norrie added: “Now this one has been left with a perfect round hole — exactly like a bullet hole. the insurance paid out for the last one but I am not sure if they will this time.

“I don’t believe we are being deliberately targeted, but Jeanette is upset by what’s been happening.” The couple have spent a lot of money doing up the flat and have spruced up the block in general by planting flowers and doing some repainting.

Norrie added: “It’s soul destroying and makes you wonder if it’s worthwhile continuing to stay here.” Now he’s attempting to find out who owns the trees which, he says overhang the road and are a danger in themselves, especially in the winter.

A police spokesman confirmed the matter had been reported to them and enquiries were continuing. Anyone with any information should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.