GUARDIAN ANGEL
Grieving hubby sleeps at cemetery to protect wife & parents’ graves
A WIDOWER spends nights beside the graves of his wife and parents to protect them from robbers.
George Turnbull sleeps on guard in his local cemetery after a series of attacks on the plot where his “soul mate” Beverley is buried.
The former care worker made the decision to stay at the graveside after the theft of items left for her, his dad George, an engineer who died in 2008 aged 76, and mum Catherine, 77, who died in 2012.
They are buried close to his wife and keepsakes, mementoes and treasured possessions have been stolen. George, 60, said: “I have old-fashioned values that you look after your wife and family.
“They have taken ornaments and church candles that were blessed for me.
“There was an event in memory of my wife where I was given a bottle of cham- pagne. I left that and it went. There is no CCTV and the lighting is not good here. It is very cold through the night, but it will be even colder where my wife is. It’s not right that her things are being taken.” George, who lost Beverley two years ago, aged 52, has seen damage to the cemetery, including the attempted theft of a bench. He added: “Nothing is going to stop them unless someone is here. I have been told by my doctor not to sleep out due to my heart condition. But I feel that I should be there for my wife, and parents.” Police said they are aware of the concerns about thefts and graves being damaged at the cemetery, in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. A spokesman said: “We are making inquiries into this. Officers are paying extra attention to the area and carrying out regular patrols.”