A BUSINESSMAN whose prized cars have been doused with paint stripper has branded the culprits cowards.

Frank Chimirri, of Brettingham Gate, Broome Manor, returned home from work on December 19 to find his Mercedes SLK and Maserati Grand Turismo covered in white paint stripper.

Mr Chimirri, who owns NU:U, in Old Town, which offers laser liposuction, said the damage to both cars will cost him more than £13,000 to repair.

He received a call from his wife on the day of the incident saying that she had something white on her car.

When he returned home he noticed his car had also been covered in the substance.

It is believed that the offence took place sometime between 6pm on December 18 and 10am the following day, but Mr Chimirri did not see the damage when he left the house as he travelled in another car.

He does not know what sparked the attack and thinks those responsible could have been jealous or drunk. I just think that the people who have done this are cowards,” he said.

“I don’t know what the reason behind it is but they must have been jealous, drunk, or both.

“I really want to catch these guys and show them the actual impact of their actions.

“I have spoken to neighbours but nobody has seen anything, although there is on neighbour who is still on holiday who has CCTV and he may have captured them coming or going.

“I have had to put up CCTV on my house, which is another expense for me, it is a real shame but is something I have to do.

“The unusual thing is that I have four cars on my drive, so whoever has done this has targeted mine and my wife’s car.”

Police officers have spoken to the couple’s neighbours and are currently carrying out forensic tests on a bucket that was found on their driveway.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Inquiries are ongoing we have contacted Mr Chimirri to inform him of this.

“Officers have been along the road he lives on and the surrounding area door-knocking to assist with their inquiries.

“We are currently waiting for the DNA results to come back on a bucket that was found on the drive, which can take up to three weeks.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Wiltshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously if preferred, on 0800 555 111.