Heartbreak as thieves steal from son's grave (From Hereford Times)

Heartbreak as thieves steal from Daniel Symonds' grave

9:00am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Local News By Lauren Rogers

A MOTHER and father have been left devastated after lights were stolen from their son’s grave on the day before what would have been his 23rd birthday.

Roger and Tanya Symonds returned from a holiday to find the solar lights they had placed by Daniel’s grave at Hereford Crematorium had been taken.

Daniel was 19-years-old when he died in a car crash on the Rotherwas Access Road, near Hereford, in October 2008.

Roger and Tanya visit Daniel’s grave every day.

The four solar lights, similar to those pictured, were taken between 6pm on September 29 and noon on September 30 – the day before former Whitecross High School student Daniel - known as Symo - would have turned 23.

After speaking to other families, Roger fears thieves may be targeting other graves and hopes speaking out may stop the culprits.

“We just can’t believe someone would do this,” he said.

"We’re hoping that by speaking out that this will prick somebody’s conscience and they might put them back or leave them somewhere we can find them.”