A HEARTBROKEN father has hit out at vandals who desecrated the grave of his son, who died aged just two.
Quesir Mahmood was shocked to find his son Husain’s headstone had been painted over when he visited the grave in Croop Hill Cemetery on Saturday (May 16).
He said: “To paint his head stone is a cowardly, inhumane and unforgivable act. I do not know whether this is a religious or personal act.”
He added it was not the first time he had seen evidence of vandalism on the gravestone of his son – who died in 2009 of an undiagnosed condition.
“Previously, on three to four occasions, I found the headstone covered with mud and this had been carried out deliberately. I ignored it and washed the head stone clean.”
A spokesman for Rugby Borough Council said they were aware of the attack at the Addison Road cemetery, which contains Rugby’s only Muslim burial section, which is laid out in accordance with Muslim religious requirements.
He added: “The police contacted our bereavement services team after receiving a report mud had been smeared on a headstone at Croop Hill Cemetery.
“Mr Mahmood then contacted us on Sunday to report his son’s headstone had been vandalised with paint. We arranged for a stonemason to clean the headstone the following day and have offered Mr Mahmood our full support.
“We continue to assist the police in their enquiries and urge anyone with information about those responsible for the vandalism to contact the police.”
A Warwickshire Police spokeswoman condemned the attack.
She said: “The vandalism of gravestones is thoughtless, completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by police.
“Headstones being damaged and items stolen from graves causes a huge amount of upset and distress to the families whose loved ones’ graves have been affected.
“We would ask anyone who has information about gravestone vandalism to contact police by calling 101.”
