A WIDOWER has been left “horrified” after heartless thieves stole a memorial lantern from his wife’s grave.

A WIDOWER has been left “horrified” after heartless thieves stole a memorial lantern from his wife’s grave.

John Ennis arrived at his wife Betty’s grave in Little Paxton Cemetery to find that the solar-powered light and lantern he had installed had been removed, and other items disturbed.

The theft took place between 5pm on Monday, July 26, and 5pm on Wednesday, July 28.

Mr Ennis, 71, of ADDRESS, said he had been left seething by the theft.

“I usually call in on the way home from work, but I didn’t go on the Tuesday. When I arrived on the Wednesday I noticed immediately that it had gone,” he said.

“They had pulled the lantern, and upturned other items on the grave, like the flowers and ornaments.

“I was horrified that someone could steal from a grave. I was absolutely seething, and went home straight away to phone the police.”

Mrs Ennis passed away in April 2008 after a stroke. The couple had been married for 52 years, and have two children and four grandchildren.

Her husband built the solar-powered unit himself and installed it just weeks ago, to replace the candles he lit in his wife’s memory. He said he would be building a replacement for the grave.

“It had only been there for six or eight weeks, and the device is not valuable,” he said.

“I’m shocked that someone could do this, and I’ve never heard of it happening before.”

Jenny Gellatly, clerk of Little Paxton Parish Council, which has responsibility for the cemetery, said it was the first time such an incident had been reported.

“It is of course an upsetting and distressing incident. For anything to have been stolen from any grave is despicable,” she said.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information should contact PCSO Carol Corn on 0345 456 4564.