'Despicable crime' as Newport mother's grave plaque defaced

A heart-shaped plaque, which is part of the grave belonging Eileen Talbot at Newport Cemetery, was found with a message written on it in permanent marker pen.

It The handwritten message on the plaque, over the original dictation, implies the grave of Mrs Talbot does not deserve a headstone.

The vandalism comes after the family spoke to the Shropshire Star about how they were fighting to get a slightly bigger headstone for Mrs Talbot to represent their Romany Gypsy heritage.

It is believed the grave was vandalised at some point last week, but it not clearly exactly when.

Constable Lee Thomas, of West Mercia Police said: "This is a particularly despicable crime, clearly intended to cause distress to a family who are still grieving the loss of a loved one.

"We are aware that Mrs Talbot's family are in discussions with Newport Town Council about the headstone they wish to have placed on the grave and the issue has received an amount of publicity in the local press and on Facebook.

"Irrespective of what people may think about the issue over the size of a headstone, it does not excuse desecrating a person's grave in any way, shape or form.

"We cannot get to the situation where the town's cemetery has to lock its gates at night or put up CCTV cameras to deter people from causing further damage to this or other plots at the site.

"We are hopeful that hearing what has occurred on this occasion will tug someone's conscience and they will come forward with the information we need to identify the culprits."

Mrs Talbot died in March this year at the age of 65 after a three-year battle with bowel cancer.

She was well known across the town and had held several jobs, but was best known for running a burger van in Newport's High Street between Boots and the old Woolworths – which is now B&M Bargains – for 15 years until the early 2000s.

While she was fighting the disease she took the time to pick out her headstone as well as arrange her funeral so her family did not have too.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 0704S of September 24. Alternatively, information can be passed free and anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.