A MUM has been left distraught after her son’s headstone was ripped from its plinth and ornaments scattered across the cemetery.

Devastated Susan Thomas said it was like vandals had ‘danced over’ her son Brett’s grave after she made the discovery at Pleasington Cemetery in Blackburn.

Brett, who was a private in the army, took his own life at the age of 17 in 2004 and is buried next to Susan’s husband Frank, who died two years ago.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident which they believed happened between Friday and Monday.

Mrs Thomas, 57, from Blackburn, said: “They have ripped the headstone off the plinth, all the ornaments are scattered everywhere and there are things missing including a big bible.

“The lamps have been smashed. It is a mess.

“There was a religious figure on top of the headstone and we can’t find it anywhere.

“They have literally trampled all over it.

“My husband is buried next to him and everything is still in place.

“It feels like Brett has been targeted. It just seems really odd that they have singled out one grave.

“Why would anyone do this? Brett never hurt anyone.

“I just can’t get my head around it.”

Mrs Thomas, who visits the cemetery about once a week, said it is not the first time Brett’s grave was vandalised after it happened in 2005.

“It is like they have danced all over his grave,” she said.

“My 12-year-old granddaughter is heartbroken. Brett is still her uncle and she usually kisses his headstone as well as my husband’s.

“I’m just going to have to start again. Where do I get the money to do that?

“It will take time but I can replace the ornaments. It is the headstone I am most upset about.”

Brett was a former Darwen Vale High School pupil who served in the Royal Logistics Corp at Deepcut Barracks in Surrey.

“My son was brilliant,” Mrs Thomas added.

“He was 6ft 7in and wouldn’t hurt a soul. He was never in trouble. He was such a good lad.”

PCSO Matt Cornall, investigating, said: “To think that someone would cause this much damage to a boy’s grave is beyond belief. This is supposed to be a place of rest and somewhere where families can come and visit their loved ones.

“There are no obvious reasons as to why Brett’s grave was targeted so I would advise people to remain vigilant and to report any similar incidents to the local neighbourhood policing team.”

Anyone with information should email 7525@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or ring 101, quoting crime reference ED1717216.

A fundraising page has also been set up to try and raise money to fix the headstone. To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-wyatt.