By Bruce Fegen

SICK VANDALS who wrecked 40 headstones and numerous floral and other tributes at Leslie Cemetery are being hunted by police.

The damage is believed to have been caused at around 9 pm on Thursday night but was only discovered yesterday morning.

Among the graves desecrated was that of Glenrothes teenager Stef Drummond, who died tragically in the summer following a disturbance in the town.

Memorials left for children, including stillborn babies, were also damaged in the orgy of destruction which will cost council taxpayers over £6000 to rectify.

Mr Drummond’s mother, Margaret, said, “Fortunately Stef’s grave doesn’t have a headstone, there’s a cross with his name on it, but the damage was still bad.

“It would have been his 16th birthday last Sunday and there were a lot of flowers on the grave. They were thrown about all over the place.

“My mum was hysterical when she saw the damage. It really hurts to think that people can show such disrespect to Stef’s memory, but we’ve tidied things up now.”

On hearing news of the vandalism, director Mary Hill said, “We are appalled at what has happened and hope that the people who did this will realise the full implications of their mindless acts.”

Willie Greig, a bereavement services officer with Fife Council, said, “Some 40 headstones were pushed over and flowers and memorials were strewn about the place.

“We had a memorial team out to repair the damage as far as possible.

“Most of the damage was slight and involved replacing the headstones and concreting them back in, but where things are more serious, we will have to contact the families of the deceased.

“Sadly, vandalism at cemeteries throughout Fife is an ongoing problem. We do have a security patrol which goes around, but there are 115 cemeteries in the (area) and it’s hard to keep tabs on them all.”

He added that it cost £150 to fix each headstone. “It’s a lot of money that the council and taxpayers can ill-afford.”

Local MSP Christine May said, “What do you say? Words cannot adequately express the feelings of revulsion.

“The police cannot be everywhere and cannot watch everything and I am seriously coming to the view that the more investment we put into things like CCTV the safer Fife is.

“It really is a sorry state of affairs when people get their kicks from doing something like this.

“I have no doubt that the culprits will be caught and I wish the police the best of luck in their hunt for these idiots—if anything is anti-social behaviour, this is.

“I just hope that when the people responsible suffer grief and loss, as they eventually will, someone does not do the same to them.”

Glenrothes police Sergeant John Cumming pleaded with anyone who has information which could help catch the culprits to come forward urgently.

He told the Courier, “This was a particularly cruel and pointless crime which causes real suffering for bereaved friends and families.

“Anyone who knows the individuals concerned should pick up the phone to ensure they are dealt with as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone 01592 251111.