Families' fury at attacks on their children's graves
VANDALS and thieves have caused heartbreak to Holsworthy families after targeting the town's cemetery.
A decorative light in the shape of a snail has been stolen from the grave of three-year-old Kai Johns, who died in November after fighting heart disease.
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DEVASTATED: Jean and Tom Orchard at their sons' vandalised Holsworthy grave. Photo Rob Tibbles 1003-22_02
The graves of brothers Nathan and Anthony Orchard who died aged 19 and 17 respectively in a car crash in December, 2001, have also been vandalised — for the second time.
Kai's mum Donna visits her son's grave every week.
She said: "Kai's grave is very important to me and my family, at the moment. This is so upsetting.
"I put the snail there so it wasn't dark at night and I just want it returned.
"I want whoever did it to think about what they have done to a three-year-old boy and his family."
The Orchard brothers' pictures have been prised off and stolen from their gravestones and the glue smeared over Anthony's name on the headstones.
The boys graves were vandalised in a similar manner in September 2007 and their mum, Jean, is struggling to understand why anybody would do it.
The teenagers were much loved in the community.
More than 4,000 turned out to their funeral and it took three lorries to carry all the flowers sent for the boys.
Jean visits her son's graves at Holsworthy cemetery at Stanbury Cross on birthdays and anniversaries.
It will cost the Orchard family £200 to replace the pictures.
She said: "It is nice to go there and talk to the boys and it is a lovely mark to them — nobody in their right minds would do this.
"Everyone is angry and devastated that this has happened. Not only is it upsetting, but it brings the boys' deaths to the front of your mind again.
"It is a horrible thing to do and we just plead with whoever is responsible to just leave their graves alone."
Holsworthy PC Amanda Brown said: "These are very disturbing incidents, which have caused more unnecessary distress for the families.
"The items stolen have great sentimental value and if they were handed in anonymously it would be appreciated by the families."
The graves were vandalised sometime between 3pm on Friday February 26 and Wednesday March 3.
Anyone with information can phone 08452 777 444 quoting reference CH/10/80 or CH/10/81.
6 Comments
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by rich, south devon
Thursday, March 11 2010, 10:37PM
“My heartfelt sympathy to you Donna and also Mr and Mrs Orchard. What goes around comes around, the pathetic moron or morons who did this will have their pay back one day. Take care”
by Len, Bideford
Thursday, March 11 2010, 1:48PM
“Our hearts go out to you Jean and Tom. I know it's easy to say but please be strong. As for the biggots that carried this out I hope you get what you deserve. I would certainly like to spend 15 minutes alone with you.”
by John Gilbert, Southampton
Thursday, March 11 2010, 12:47PM
“This low-life must be evil to the core. How could they do this -- chances are they are youngsters, and my advice to them is to leave the area as soon as possible for retribution will surely come their way one day. Totally sick!”
by WHB, Ilfracombe
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:25AM
“How would these grave robbers feel if it was a member of their family. Shame on you if you read this, how you can live with yourself beggars belief.”
by bob, northam
Thursday, March 11 2010, 8:40AM
“this is dispicable,I wonder how the idiots who did this manage to sleep at night, its getting pretty bad when even the dead cant be left in peace, my condolances to the families concerned”