A COUPLE were shot on the doorstep of their Leytonstone home in a suspected case of mistaken identity.

The 50-year-old woman and her 43-year-old partner were watching TV at around 11pm when they heard banging on their front door.

The woman therefore got up to answer it, despite her boyfriend warning her not to. But as he tried to pull her back inside, they were confronted with a volley of bullets.

They struck the couple’s arms and hands and the mum-of-three, who is too afraid to be named, said the experience had left her traumatised.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, she said: “I got hit and I didn’t know what had happened. I was covered in blood but I didn’t know why.

“I was shouting for my boys because I thought one was outside and I was so worried.

“Then they shot another bullet which went through the glass. I still didn’t realise it was a gun because I have never heard a gunshot in my life.

“But after I looked at the door and saw round holes, I realised what it was.

“I was so shocked that something like that could happen to my family and in my house.

“I have never experienced anything like that. It is nothing to do with me. Either they got the wrong house or were trying to target my boys.”

The woman’s two teenage sons, aged 16 and 18, and her 22-year-old daughter had been upstairs at the time. But the 16-year-old had just returned from a shop and police suspect someone may have followed him.

The family did not see the attackers but witnesses said they saw four black youths in their late teens drive off in a silver-coloured car in the direction of Cathall Road.

The car had been parked outside their home in Melon Road.

The couple were taken to Whipps Cross and were discharged the following day. Recovering at home with her finger in a bandage and surrounded by family, the mum said: “I feel so frightened. We are all worried about them coming back because I don’t know what it is all about. I worry about my children because anything could happen to them.

“Now it is starting to sink in what has happened and what could have happened. I think I am so lucky my partner pulled me back. It was my first instinct to open the door, but I didn’t expect gun shots.

“I have lived here for 10 years and never had any trouble. I know this estate isn’t perfect but I’m not on the streets. It is scary.”

The shooting is being investigated by Trident, which investigates gun-related crimes within black communities.

There has been tension in South Leytonstone for many years between youths from the Cathall estate, near the crime scene, and youths from the Thatched House area. Police say they are keeping an open mind about the motive, and no arrests have been made.

Last October, a middle-aged couple living in Ashville Road, Leytonstone, had gunshots fired into their bedroom while they slept. Police believe it was a case of mistaken identity, and fortunately the couple were not injured.

Officers from Trident NE shootings Team are investigating the Melon Road shooting. Anyone with information to call the incident room on 8217 7381 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.