A disgusted veteran has called for the full weight of the law to be brought down on two people seen urinating on a Fife war memorial.
Retired Sergeant Major Rob Scott described the actions of the man and woman at Burntisland cenotaph on Tuesday as “absolutely shocking”.
The chairman of the Black Watch Association’s Fife branch added: “These people should go to prison because they are defiling sacred ground.”
The pair were spotted by a horrified local woman, who was sworn at when she confronted them.
Police are investigating after Anne-Jane Downie reported their disrespectful behaviour.
“I witnessed some lovely people actually urinating on the cenotaph,” she said.
“A girl was urinating nearby. A man in a wheelchair with his private parts visible to all was urinating on the actual cenotaph, while another two sat on the other side smoking.”
She added: “When told to stop being so disgusting…they answered with swearing as if I am in the wrong for asking them not to expose themselves and urinate on a tribute to the men who lost their lives.”
Ms Downie said the incident happened just before 5pm and pointed out it could easily have been a child who was exposed to the “disgusting creatures”.
Mr Scott said it was bad enough Ms Downie witnessed such an act but the fact it was on “holy ground” made it even worse.
“Families can’t go to Africa or all around to world so see where their loved ones are buried,” he said.
“Their names are on the war memorial so people can go down there to pay their respects.
“These people they are peeing on gave them the freedom to do what they are doing and they are slapping them in the face.”
a Methil man, whose family has served with the Black Watch for five generations, called for tougher sentences for people who disrespect memorials in such a vile manner.
“As long as they are getting away with a wee slap on the wrist, they’ll continue to do these things,” he said.
“They should be in front of a sheriff and given a very heavy penalty.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Fife received a report of public urination at Burntisland war memorial, which took place shortly before 5pm on Tuesday September 26.
“Anyone with information about this is urged to contact Kirkcaldy police station via 101, quoting incident number 2646 of September 26, or report this anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
