Gran’s grave trashed a day after funeral
Tributes ruined in wrecking spree
A grieving son told this week how sick vandals sunk to a new low by trashing the grave of his mum less than 24 hours after she had been laid to rest.
Well-known Newmains woman Marion Brownlie passed away on March 10 of a suspected heart attack at the age of 69 with her family gathering on Friday for her funeral and to bury her in the cemetery.
However, less than 24 hours later family members of the mumof-four returned to the graveside at Cambusnethan Cemetery to find louts had ruined floral tributes of Marion and several other graves.
Heartbroken son Robert, 40, told the Wishaw Press his family have been left shocked and angered by the actions of the yobs.
He said: “Mum was laid to rest at 3pm on Friday and by 9pm the following morning her grave was a mess.
“All her flowers had been scattered all over the place and I noticed footprints all over the lair.
“The only thing that was left standing was the plaque from the undertaker saying she was laid to rest but I noticed five or six of these plaques scattered all over the place.
“These people have wrecked graves of people who have only just died and it’s shocking.”
Robert and other family members ruled out any possibility of local wildlife ruining the graveside tributes after surveying the destruction.
He also called for cameras to be installed Robert Brownlie in the cemetery to prevent it happening again.
Robert added: “Mum was taken from us suddenly; it was a real shock to us all.
“You can imagine the stress this has placed on all the family.
“We still can’t believe she’s gone and for people to do this to her grave is sickening.
“I haven’t been an angel all my life but I would never even think to do something like this.
“I don’t know what goes through people’s heads.”
A North Lanarkshire Council spokeswoman told the Wishaw Press the local authority sympathised with the Brownlie family, but believe the damage was not caused by vandalism.
She said: “Our thoughts are with Mrs Brownlie’s family at this time and understand their distress at the damage to the grave.
“There have been a number of incidents of deer coming into Cambusnethan and other cemeteries and causing damage.
“We believe this has been the case at Mrs Brownlie’s grave.
“Our staff have taken steps to clear the area for the family.
“The council are, at present, looking at a number of measures to deter deer from entering our cemeteries.”
WHY I LOVE WISHAW They have wrecked graves of people who have just died