Bags taken as mum visits baby's grave
A GRIEF-STRICKEN mum has been left devastated after thieves stole her handbag while she visited her baby's grave.
Hayley Evans's bag contained her digital camera, which held treasured photographs of her son Riley, who died in December aged just 10 days old.
The 20-year-old is desperate to get the pictures back and has made an emotional plea for the return of the camera.
Hayley and her mother Tracey were visiting Riley's grave at Caverswall Cemetery on Sunday when thieves broke into their car and stole both their handbags.
Charity shop manager Tracey, aged 39, said: "We went to visit Riley's grave, and my mum's. At around 4pm I got some water, for the flowers we had taken, from a tap near to the car, and a yellow Ford Focus came up the drive.
"I went back to Riley's grave and a man and woman from the car went to a grave nearby.
"We then went to my mum's grave on a different side of the cemetery, and the couple were going back to the car.
"As I put my flowers down we heard our car alarm go off.
"Hayley ran to the car and the window had been smashed. Both our bags, which had been under the seat, had gone, and there was no sign of the car.
"I'm so angry, I can't believe someone could stoop so low as to do this at a cemetery, and on Mother's Day as well, which was hard for Hayley anyway."
Riley, who was Hayley's first child, was born four weeks early on November 29, weighing 4lb 9oz.
After five days in hospital he was allowed home, but on December 6 was readmitted. Tests showed his liver was not functioning properly and he needed a transplant.
On December 8 he was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, but he died the next day.
Hayley, who lives with her mum at The Moat, Weston Coyney, said: "When they said he needed a transplant I was waiting and hoping, but he wasn't strong enough. It was heartbreaking.
"Because I didn't have him for very long sometimes I think 'Did I dream it?'
"Having the pictures of him made it real, they are irreplaceable.
"If anyone has the camera I would ask them to please let me have the photos back – they are the only thing that was taken that I care about."
Inspector Neil Sherratt, commander of Cheadle neighbourhood policing unit, said: "We have carried out inquiries and searched the police database for any crimes involving a car of that description, but that returned no matches.
"There are no trends in terms of thefts from vehicles in the area so it appears this was an opportunist theft.
"We are appealing for any witnesses who know of any suspicious activity involving a vehicle like the one described, or who have any information, to come forward."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Cheadle on 0300 123 4455.
30 Comments
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by parleigh, Stoke on Trent
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 2:16AM
“So sorry to hear about this.I often go into Stafford shopping and i always look on a cheap car garage just past the Stafford car boot.Anyway i have noticed a yellow Focus for sale which is definately new there.They buy cars for cash.Just thought id let you know as i rarely see these on the road.
I hope they find these scumbags.”
by jo, Blurton
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:51PM
“I dont know if this of any help but a yellow x reg ford focus picks up at Sutherland primary school.It was there at 3.15 today.I couldnt catch the rest of the number plate.Lets hope the police have already checked into it as there cant be that many about.”
by hayley, stoke
Friday, March 19 2010, 12:13AM
“Just want to thank every one for there kind comments and support, its a hard time as it is and those photos are irriplacable. And as for u claire, kepp it shut if ur jus gonna make unhelpfull comment.”
by Janice, stoke on trent
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:42PM
“Whoever did this horrible thing are lower than scum, I hope bad things happen to them. My heart goes out to the family of the little baby who has passed on. Death would be too good for the scum who did this. I hope someone finds out who they are and gives them what they deserve. Yes I feel very angry.”
by Tracey, Weston Coyney
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:30PM
“I would just like to thank everyone for their kind words and offers of help. Warren and Geoff Thank you so much, I am keeping my fingers crossed to finding the camera and it would be a big bonus for me to have the culprits punished, but I would be very happy with just the photographs. Thank you again.”
by shawney, weston coyney
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:43PM
“@claire
maybe my sister was going to keep them on her camera forever, she puchased it specifically to take photographs of her son. what hayley does with those photos and where she keeps them is of no concern of yours. the simple fact of the story is that some scumbag stole it and she desperatly wants it back. i would appreciate it instead of nailing hayley about where she kept these photos people would help us catch the SCUMBAGS that did it. thank you”
by Claire, Stoke
Thursday, March 18 2010, 12:35PM
“Warren, why buy a digital camera if you have no intention of doing something with the photos. At least printing them out gives you a hard copy (you don't need a computer for that). What was she going to do, keep the photos in the camera forever?”
by Warren, Meir
Thursday, March 18 2010, 11:34AM
“Claire, that good advice there, but sometimes people have not got the hardware to do that. It could be that Hayley as not got a computer, they can be expensive things, people tend to take them for granted now, but they are. Maybe Hayley wanted to carry the photos round with her to show people, and was getting around to downloading them when she felt stronger. Anyway, my offer still stands, and always will. I have a spear digital photo frame, and even if shawneny hear wants to do the job, I'll gladly donate that.”
by Claire, Stoke
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:34AM
“Always download your photos as soon as you can if they are important.
I had a camera stolen in Spain and it was the photos that were the loss.
As for this case, if it's know whose grave they were visiting and the relationship to that person, why can't they find who did this?
Or am I simplifying the policing process somewhat?”
by shawney, s-o-t
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:19AM
“jeff, this is traceys daughter, the aunty of riley, could you leave ur email address or email me at shawney91@hotmail.co.uk and i will pass it on to my mum. thanks”