A daughter has hit out at thieves who stole a Mothers' Day present from a graveside.

Care assistant Julie Eastoe, 44, put a teddy bear by her mother's grave but hours later, it was gone.

Mrs Eastoe, of Oakley Road, Dovercourt, bought the present for Mothers' Day and went to the Upper Dovercourt cemetery to place it there.

But her sister returned later that afternoon to find it been taken. Plastic vases have previously been stolen from the cemetery as well, said Mrs Eastoe.

She added: "I was quite devastated, you would think something like that people would leave alone. It's heart-breaking."

Her mother Maureen Cullum, who was from Dovercourt, died aged 66 in 1996.

Anyone with information on the theft should call Harwich police on 01255 241312

Published Monday, April 14, 2003

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