Brynhild
10-05-2009, 01:25 AM
Cemetery vandals smash NSW headstones
AAP
October 5, 2009, 9:38 am
A funeral director says the desecration of up to 50 graves at a cemetery in northern NSW is demoralising, and he has never seen such destruction.
Headstones and statues were smashed during the vandals' attack at the South Hill cemetery in Armidale, in the New England region, causing an estimated $400,000 damage, police said in a statement.
Staff made the discovery about 11am (AEDT) on Sunday.
Funeral director Allan Piddington told AAP between 40 and 50 graves were destroyed, including about 15 in the cemetery's oldest section.
"It's like history gone down the drain," he said.
"There was a mixture of granite but most were marble, dating back to 70- to 80-years-old, and one was 100-years-old.
"Out of the whole lot, I don't think there would be too many relatives around that could afford to fix them.
"For some, there would be no relatives around at all."
Mr Piddington said the headstones had been pushed or kicked over, smashing as they hit the ground.
"Marble panels are just like glass - they just break. Some will be able to be repaired but mostly they were (so) damaged that you couldn't put them back together.
"I was a bit upset yesterday because I have lived here all my life and have never seen such destruction.
"You grow up around the place and seeing this happen is very demoralising. I have never seen anything like that.
"You have to see the destruction to believe how someone could do this kind of damage."
Mr Piddington believes the vandals were adults rather than teenagers or children because of the extent of the damage.
"It's an adult who has done this. I am sure it is not kids, and I am sure it is not one person," he said.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/6143363/cemetery-vandals-smash-nsw-headstones/)
This is disgusting! :mad: A lot of these would have historical significance. Their descendants are probably still alive, taking care of family graves. They mean something to somebody, and those scum deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law!
AAP
October 5, 2009, 9:38 am
A funeral director says the desecration of up to 50 graves at a cemetery in northern NSW is demoralising, and he has never seen such destruction.
Headstones and statues were smashed during the vandals' attack at the South Hill cemetery in Armidale, in the New England region, causing an estimated $400,000 damage, police said in a statement.
Staff made the discovery about 11am (AEDT) on Sunday.
Funeral director Allan Piddington told AAP between 40 and 50 graves were destroyed, including about 15 in the cemetery's oldest section.
"It's like history gone down the drain," he said.
"There was a mixture of granite but most were marble, dating back to 70- to 80-years-old, and one was 100-years-old.
"Out of the whole lot, I don't think there would be too many relatives around that could afford to fix them.
"For some, there would be no relatives around at all."
Mr Piddington said the headstones had been pushed or kicked over, smashing as they hit the ground.
"Marble panels are just like glass - they just break. Some will be able to be repaired but mostly they were (so) damaged that you couldn't put them back together.
"I was a bit upset yesterday because I have lived here all my life and have never seen such destruction.
"You grow up around the place and seeing this happen is very demoralising. I have never seen anything like that.
"You have to see the destruction to believe how someone could do this kind of damage."
Mr Piddington believes the vandals were adults rather than teenagers or children because of the extent of the damage.
"It's an adult who has done this. I am sure it is not kids, and I am sure it is not one person," he said.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source (http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/6143363/cemetery-vandals-smash-nsw-headstones/)
This is disgusting! :mad: A lot of these would have historical significance. Their descendants are probably still alive, taking care of family graves. They mean something to somebody, and those scum deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law!