A DISTRAUGHT dad has spoken out after thieves stole mementoes from his baby’s grave.

Baby Isabelle was born prematurely after 22 weeks and died in the arms of mum Debbie Miller.

Duane Caulton, 44, of Old Heath Road, Colchester, fought for permission to get a grave for Isabelle, normally reserved for babies of 24 weeks or more.

Toys and lights at the shrine he created in her memory at Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium in Mersea Road have been stolen.

Duane made a direct plea to anyone who has information about the theft.

He said: “Think how you would feel if your family’s grave was violated. Think how hurt you would be. It is our connection with her and between this world and the next.”

Isabelle died on July 23, 2009.

All Duane has to remember her is some pictures of her in his hands.

To cope with the loss Duane, who has four other children and recently became a grandfather, put his building skills to work on her grave.

Duane visited the grave on Easter Sunday to take some new presents when he realised what had happened. Thieves had stolen toys, diamond shaped solar lights and a 12-ins plastic fairy in a white dress.

Duane said: “Her mum was losing too much blood so she had to be born early, but she was just too young and didn’t even get a breath.

“Everyone has lost someone and you don’t touch these graves. It is the lowest thing you can do. Whoever did this is despicable.

“It is a violation by people with no compassion. The other parents are up in arms.”

A spokesman for Colchester Council, which runs the cemetery, said there have been no other recent reports of thefts at Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium.

He said: “PCSOs regularly patrol through the cemetery.

“Staff are constantly working in the grounds throughout the day and all gates are locked promptly at the advertised times.

“Security guards are hired to patrol throughout the summer.

“We hope this is an isolated incident and offer our full cooperation to Essex Police to ensure the perpetrators are caught.”

Police have appealed for information.

PC Joe Thumpston said: “It is a sad day when someone would stoop so low and steal from a child’s grave.”

Anyone with information can call PC Thumpston at Colchester police station on 101.