A MOTHER has spoken of her anguish after heartless thieves stole a piece of her dead son’s headstone.

Debbie Hemstead, of Haydon Wick, was told by a family member that part of the stone was missing.

After attending the grave at Whitworth Road Cemetery to lay some items of remembrance for Christmas, members of the family were shocked to discover the one metre-wide rhinoceros figurine had gone.

“I was in a state of total disbelief when I found out,” said Debbie.

“It was very upsetting, especially at this time of year when you tend to think more about family.

“I just cannot believe anybody would remove something from a headstone.”

Debbie lost her son Stuart Walker in April 2000 when the 19-year-old was involved in a car accident.

He worked as a zoo keeper at Cotswold Wildlife Park, which was the inspiration for the rhino figurine on his headstone.

The animal lover had only started his job four weeks before his tragic death.

Yet he had made such an impression that a memorial fund was immediately set up.

Debbie’s disbelief that someone would steal part of a headstone was further compounded by the fact that the rhino isn’t actually worth anything.

She said: “Someone must have thought it was worth a lot of money,

“But it’s just made of resin. In terms of actual monetary value, it’s worth nothing to anyone.”

She even phoned the council to see if they could help.

And she discovered that the groundsmen who maintain the cemetery had noticed it missing a few weeks ago, but they had thought a family member had taken it away to be cleaned, as often happens.

They had spent a bit of time looking around the cemetery to see if it had been discarded, but were unable to find anything.

“The rhino has been there for 17 years and it has never been taken before,” said Debbie.

“It looks like it has been removed with a chisel and levered off the stone – I’m just in total disbelief.”

Debbie wanted people to be aware of the theft to ensure that others don’t also fall victim to the callous thieves.

If anyone finds the missing rhino, phone the Adver on 01793 501774 and we will ensure it is returned.