Published: Wednesday, 13th February, 2008 12:30
Sick scum steal from graves
By Lauren Campbell
Print Article
GRIEVING families have been made even more devastated after a spate of thefts at Kilwinning cemetery saw their loved ones graves robbed of all personal touches.
After reading our story about the mess of Kilwinning cemetery last week a woman phoned in to say she was having trouble with the cemetery, but not because of the mess.
Mhairi Bradford lost her brother Stuart just over a year ago and his death devastated her whole family.
However, probably most upset was the seven-year-old daughter Stuart left behind.
Erin Bradford visits her dad’s grave regularly and leaves him things such as teddy bears that say ‘I Love You’ on them and little ornaments.
Such things are only important to the family, for sentimental reasons, but it seems that Kilwinning cemetery is plagued by thieves who steal from the graves.
Sick robbers have been stealing wreaths, flowers and trinkets left on the graves there, and five little gifts were taken from Stuart Bradford’s grave.
Sickened is Mhairi who can’t understand what value these little ornaments would have for anyone else.
She told the Times: “My brother died just over a year ago so the feelings are still very raw because it was a tragic death and no one saw it coming. Recently things have been stolen from his grave that his daughter, Erin, left there for him. People have told me they’ve had wreaths and things stolen for years but because he hasn’t been in that cemetery for long this is the first time we’ve witnessed it. He used to have two little Shitszu dogs so Erin left two Shitszu ornaments as well as a teddy which says I Love You on it and two little fairies. All of them have been taken. Why though? Is it to sell them, or give to someone as a present. They’re not worth loads of money, they only have value to us so I can’t understand who would take them, the people who do this are the lowest of the low. If you look at Stuart’s grave it’s obvious that it’s been a little girl who’s put the things there, but that doesn’t seem to stop them. It’s really upsetting. There’s a woman who lives down the road from me who plants flowers in her mum’s grave but on two occasions they’ve been stolen. It’s disgusting.”
Although many people have had their loved ones’ graves targeted it seems that no one has reported the incidents to the police, which they should start to do.
A spokesperson for Kilwinning Community Safety said: “At the moment we are unaware of any incidents but we would encourage members of the public to report this if it is happening to them.”
If this has happened to you contact the police on 01294 404420.
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