Memorial plaque for former Cleethorpes mayor Gladys Nuttall stolen from graveside
THE family of former Cleethorpes mayor Gladys Nuttall are devastated after thieves stole a brass plaque from her grave.
Mrs Nuttall, who died a year ago aged 85, was a renowned and popular businesswoman who ran beach donkey rides in the resort.
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The family of Gladys Nuttall are devastated by the theft of a brass plaque from her grave at Cleethorpes Cemetery. Pictured are daughter Jane Micallef and granddaughter Emily Micallef. Picture: Jon Corken
Her family erected a plaque at her grave in Cleethorpes Cemetery, and it was stolen just 24 hours later, on Saturday.
The thieves struck just days after a life-size statue of a donkey was erected on the seafront in Mrs Nuttall's memory.
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The theft from the graveside has left her widower Stanley and the family deeply upset.
Daughter Jane Micallef said her dad, 89, had visited the grave the day before the theft to leave flowers. By the following day, the plaque was gone.
Jane said: "How can anyone do that? We have read in the Grimsby Telegraph about people vandalising graves, but stealing from a grave is appalling.
"After everything she has done for the town, we are devastated.
"We are convinced it has been taken for scrap metal and will be melted down.
"They must be heartless to do something like this. Whoever took it has to know who she was."
Stanley said: "It has really upset us all. I can't believe anyone could do anything like that. The plaque has her name on it, so they would clearly see who it was for." Mrs Nuttall, who was the mayor of Cleethorpes between 1988 and 1989, passed away last August at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.
Along with Stanley – better known as Buster – she ran Nuttall's donkey rides on Cleethorpes beach until poor health forced them to hand the business over to son John, 54, partner Michelle, 37, and grandson Edward, 19.
Comments
by pedro100
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 10:35AM
“I agree with Kathleen, Gladys worked hard to help others and the low life that took this should be put away. It just shows the contempt that decent citizens have to endure on a daily basis. What sort of world is it when the streets are a no go area after dark to most elderly people, the shops are all shuttered up, video cameras everywhere giving unsatisfactory pictures and no police presence on the streets as they are all too busy?”
by jack_knife
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 7:22PM
“This is not the first time that memorial plaques etc have been stolen recently.
If they are melted down before being taken to a scrap dealer, I doubt the dealer would be any the wiser of where it came from. I don't think even a moron would be daft enough to say, "I've found this plaque, what will you give me for it?"
It would seem that these morons know no shame or respect, only greed.
If he/she/they are caught, I hope the courts issue a real punishment, like two years jail, plus £200 fine, plus the cost of replacing the plaque(s). ASBO's and Community Service is NOT enough for this despicable type of crime.
BOO/Keith,
Why do you "suppose it was children"? Oh and yes, if(?) it was done by children, then my above paragraph should apply to their parents.”
by BOO99BOO
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 6:20PM
“THIS IS THE MOST WICKED THING YOU CAN DO TO A FAMILY THE CULPRITS MUST BE FOUND AND SEVERLY PUNISHED I SUPPOSE IT IS CHILDREN THEY DONT UNDERSTAND DEATH THEY NEED REMINDING HOW BAD IT IS FOR A FAMILY WHEN THIS HAPPENS.”
by Interzone
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 5:37PM
“Terrible crime, and completely disrespectful.
But assuming it was done for the metal, who is the merchant who is buying it. If these so called dealers didn't buy it (no questions asked), then thieves wouldn't steal it.
Scrap metal dealers need strict licencing, and regular police checks.”
by elsawill
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 5:16PM
“Nothing is sacred anymore - these kind of thieves will take absolutely anything! Whether you are alive or dead these low lives will take off you! I really feel for the family.”
by gy82a
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 4:52PM
“this town is home to some of the lowest scum in recorded history , its beyond comprehension how they sleep at night , may there next visit to the toilet produce a hedgehog.....”
by kathaleen
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 10:52AM
“They must be sick they need their hands chopping off.That lady did a lot of good work for this town.Who ever took the plaque I hope you are ashamed of yourself.”