JOHN LOGUE, below left

MINDLESS vandals have defaced a historic Glasgow building at the centre of a repair row.

Scaffolding was erected at the A-Listed 5 Shaftesbury Street, in Anderston, after 100mph gales on January 3 caused a chimney to crash through the top- floor property.

As reported in the Evening Times on April 6, the storm caused damage which will take more than £18,000 to put right and forced householder John Logue out of his home which was taking in water.

Since then a payment dispute meant no repair work was carried out - and last week vandals targeted the former Glasgow savings bank.

They climbed the scaffolding and spray painted on the side and front of the sandstone tenement.

It came as the residents were given good news by the tenement's factors, Speirs Gumley.

Director Bryan McManus said builders would be instructed to begin the repairs after receiving the majority of the funds - though it's not known how long the work will take.

Alan McGillveray, who has stayed at the address for more than 20 years, said it looked like the culprits aimed to spoil the 111-year-old building, which was designed by well-known architects Salmon and Gillespie.

He said: "It looks like they were out to deface the building itself, rather than just leave a tag mark.

"I can only hope police recognise their work."

John who has lived there for more than 13 years, has been staying with friends since he left his flat, which is waterlogged despite the factors' efforts to install temporary roof coverings.

The 59-year-old finance worker said: "It looks like it has been targeted because the scaffolding offered easy access.

"It is a worry and I hope they don't strike again.

"There is still water coming in through my wall at the fireplace. It is just an absolute nightmare."

Concerns have been raised over the delay in beginning the extensive repairs.

Glasgow Kelvin MSP Sandra White said she would be raising the issue in a letter to the Minister for Housing and Transport.

Speirs Gumley refused to carry out work until all the owners in the building, including a commercial unit known as the Arthouse on the ground and first floor, paid money upfront.

The commercial part of the building's share of the bill is estimated to be 80%.

MSP Ms White said she found it "disturbing" that Mr Logue had been out of his home since January.

She added: "I will raise this with the Housing Minister Keith Brown.

"We need to get some clarity and to find out why it has taken so long.

"It seems that the pressure from the residents, local councillors and the Evening Times has paid off."

Mr McManus said: "We have spent a huge amount of time and effort liasing with owners, insurers, loss adjusters and also met Glasgow City Council on site.

"Following our persistence we have received authorisation from the loss adjuster dealing with the majority share required, therefore we have instructed the contractor to proceed with the works."

rachel.loxton@heraldandtimes.co.uk