Swansea mum's anguish as vandals pour paint on son's grave

SICK vandals have daubed satanic-style messages and poured paint on graves at Morriston cemetery, including that of a teenager who died in a fishing tragedy off Gower.

Six grave stones were defaced in the overnight attack, and offensive messages written on the road leading to the crematorium building — including one which said "God is a paedo".

The vandalism has been condemned by the police, the council and families whose graves have been defaced, and anyone with information about those responsible is being urged to come forward.

One of the families affected is that of Lee Wood, the teenager who died when the boat he was fishing from capsized off Llangennith in 2004.

His mum, Nikki Sharp from Morriston, said she was devastated by the attack.

She said: "The people who did this are scum, pure scum.

"They poured paint on my boy's grave — I am so angry and upset about it, I can't put it into words. I'm devastated.

"I can't believe someone would do this — I hope they catch the people who did this."

Lee was just 17 when he drowned and his death prompted his father, Steve, to dedicate himself to raising money for the RNLI.

He raised thousands of pounds for the lifeboat charity, but died suddenly in 2010, aged 41. His long-term partner, Nikki, vowed to carry on the good work in memory of both of them.

The attack on Morriston happened late on Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The news was broken to the affected families by staff from Swansea Council, and workers moved quickly to correct the damage.

Police have said they now plan to increase patrols in the area around the cemetery, and are urging anyone with information about what happened to come forward.

Swansea Council has condemned the attack, and said it will be working with the police to try to catch the culprits.

A spokesman for the authority said: "We are appalled that anyone could consider carrying out this act.

"The gravestones that were affected by this mindless vandalism have now been cleaned and thankfully there was no permanent damage.

"We have contacted the families of the bereaved to inform them of the incident and to reassure them that their family memorials have been cleaned."

South Wales Police called the vandalism "senseless", and appealed for anybody with information to come forward.

A spokesman said: "Police are investigating incidents of criminal damage which occurred at the Morriston crematorium.

"Officers are appealing for information after paint was thrown over a number of grave headstones in the cemetery and offensive wording was daubed on the road surface of the main driveway leading up to the chapel.

"The attacks on the headstones were totally senseless and insensitive and would be very upsetting for the relatives of the deceased.

"Patrols around the area will be stepped up and officers are appealing to anyone with information on to contact police."

Security at the 30-acre cemetery has long been a concern for local residents and for relatives with loved ones buried there, with some calling for the introduction of a CCTV system.

There has been a history of problems at the site with acts of vandalism, flowers and other items being stolen from graves, and cars being broken in to.

A special liaison group, made up of councillors, police, private security guards, residents and council officers was established in 2005 to look at ways of tackling it, but it was later abandoned.

Can you help? Call South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk

01792 514605