CRUEL thieves who stole a memorial plaque and candles from a Hoyland teenager's grave have struck again - weeks from what would have been her 19th birthday.
Shannon Deakin, 16, died in December 2011 after a blood clot spread from her leg to her chest.
She was buried at Kirk Balk cemetery but in September 2012 there was a spate of thefts from her graveside. Battery-powered 'candle' lights were taken as well as a memorial plaque.
But now her parents, Bryan and Sue, say the thefts have started again. Last Wednesday and Saturday, more of the candle lights went missing and on Sunday, a doll was also removed.
Shannon's aunty, Aileen Bright, said the family originally put the doll on the grave to mark Shannon's 17th birthday.
She said: "Everything was all right but now it has escalated to someone stealing ornaments as well as the lights. Shannon's mum and dad go up there to turn the lights on. It brings them a lot of comfort."
Other ornaments on Shannon's grave include a small pot bulldog, a candleholder with a butterfly and two wind chimes.
The family have reported the incidents to police and have been patrolling Shannon's grave up to four times a day to try and catch whoever is responsible.
