George Turnbull, 60, is keeping vigil at Castletown Cemetery in Sunderland
A grieving widower is sleeping guard at night at a cemetery to prevent heartless vandals from stealing keepsakes and trashing the graves of his loved ones.
George Turnbull, 60, said the vigil will continue at Castletown Cemetery in Sunderland until more security measures are drafted in to deter would-be thieves.
He is defying medical advice to ensure his family’s burial place is protected – despite having a heart condition.
The former care worker lost his wife of seven years, Beverley, 52, in September 2015 and she was laid to rest at the site.
She was buried in the same cemetery as his father George Turnbull, 76, who died in June 2008, and mother Catherine Turnbull, 77, on New Year’s Eve 2012.
Since their deaths, he has tended to their graves, leaving tributes and keepsakes as he copes with the loss.
But he has been moved to tears after a series of targeted attacks on their plots over the last six months.
Blessed candles and a bottle of spirit presented and named after Mrs Turnbull following a race at Sunderland Greyhound Stadium have been stolen. Among the other features on the grave are angel figures, plants, lights, baskets and poppies.
Mr Turnbull is defying medical advice to ensure his family’s burial place is protected. Among the features on the grave in Sunderland are angel figures, plants, lights, baskets and poppies
He has been moved to tears after a series of targeted attacks on the plots in the last six months
Northumbria Police has said it is continuing to carry out ‘regular and directed’ patrols at the cemetery.
But Mr Turnbull, from Red House, has taken matters into his own hands by sleeping next the graves at night in a bid to protect them from vandals.
He said: ‘Somebody has to do something. I was put on this earth to look after my wife, children, my mam and dad. Just on Friday, I came and found someone left their calling card by moving ornaments around.
‘Nothing is going to stop them unless someone is here and I think something needs to be said about it. I think there should be cameras put up with CCTV installed, but they’re not going to do that.
Mr Turnbull is now sleeping next the graves at night in a bid to protect them from vandals
Mr Turnbull has tended to the graves, leaving tributes and keepsakes as he copes with the loss
Sunderland City Council has hit out at those who carry out anti-social behaviour in cemeteries.
‘They would be a deterrent for whoever’s doing this and keep them away. I just want my wife and baby to be left to rest in peace. I’ve been to see my heart surgeon and he is concerned and says I shouldn’t be sleeping outside.’
He previously said: ‘Over time I think this will become total anarchy because of what is happening, people will take matters into their own hands and it could get violent.
The former care worker lost his wife Beverley, 52, in 2015 and she was laid to rest at the site
‘I’ve contacted the police and the council and they’ve both told me they can’t do anything about it. I put it down to the fact we’re becoming a lawless state. I just can’t understand the mentality of these people.
‘I’m an old fashioned man and our nanna brought us up and said if you steal from a cemetery or damage it, you would be struck down by lightning.I think the dead suffered enough in life and I can’t understand why anyone would do this.’
Sunderland City Council, which is responsible for the graveyard, has hit out at those who vandalise or carry out anti-social behaviour in cemeteries.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police previously said: ‘We’re aware of concerns around thefts and graves damaged in Castletown Cemetery and are making enquiries into this. *
‘Officers are paying extra attention to the area and carrying out regular patrols.
Anyone who has information about thefts or disorder are being urged to contact Northumbria Police’s Sunderland North Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.