It’s another fine mess for pensioner John
Laurel and Hardy statue is stolen
A Paisley pensioner has declared - it’s “another fine mess” - after his much loved Laurel and Hardy statue was nicked from his garden.
Granddad John Baxter, 71, has spent years filling the space with ornaments from all over Scotland - but now he’s been left distraught after cruel crooks swiped his favourite figure.
Daughter Janet Connelly insists the theft is no laughing matter with her devastated dad considering giving up the pastime he loves so much.
She told the Paisley Daily Express how she believes the unique stone figures depicting the comedy heroes were stolen from outside his Newton Street home on Saturday night.
“I think the statue has definitely been earmarked by someone. It is such a unique item, someone knew what they were coming for,” she said.
“Apparently someone walked past and commented on it a few weeks ago saying how much they liked it.
“My dad spends all his time out in the garden. He’s won prizes for it and is really proud of it.
“He is absolutely distraught over it. Gutted. He says he feels like just smashing them all up now.”
The stone ornament, which was cemented in and sat in pride of place under retired roads worker John’s window, was bought less than a year ago at Ayr market.
It formed part of his awardwinning garden and daughter Janet says the dad-of -four spends much of his spare time looking after it.
“It keeps him active. He looks after some of the other gardens in the street too. All the kids stop and look at it on their way to school. It just such a shame this has happened.”
The police have been informed and Janet is hopeful such a unique item may yet turn up.
She added: “It is really heavy. It took two people to get it in the car.
“Whoever took it must have had a van or a car. If anyone knows anything then we would really like to hear from you.
“It was a one- off item, there won’t be too many like them around. He is really upset about it being a way and someone being in his garden.”
Dad is absolutely distraught over this. Gutted. Janet Connelly