A dad is praying vandals stay away from his daughter’s grave after repeated attacks.
Brendaleigh Kineton’s headstone has been a target for vandals at Almondbury Cemetery since 2008.
Last year her dad Keith, 54, was left distressed and angry after yobs smashed up the headstone with a sledgehammer.
Since then jobless Keith, left disabled after two strokes, has saved up almost £2,500 to have the headstone replaced.
“It’s just nasty,” said Keith. “I am just sick of this happening and I pray it won’t happen again. Why would anyone do something like this?”
Father-of-five Keith, who is no longer with Brendaleigh’s mum Kelly, now lives in Lupset, Wakefield, but returned to the cemetery on Wednesday to see the new headstone put in place on what would have been his daughter’s 10th birthday.
Brendaleigh, who had cerebral palsy and was brain damaged at birth, died at the age of two in June 2007.
Within months vandals and thieves damaged the grave and stole flowers and ornaments.
Keith said: “I asked for closed circuit television in the cemetery but nothing ever happened.
“I go to the cemetery every two weeks but it’s not easy when I live in Wakefield and have to get the bus.
“I have really saved and saved for the new headstone and paid for it with no help from anyone.
“That doesn’t bother me because she’s my daughter. The only thing is there’s nothing to stop it getting smashed again tomorrow.
“I don’t know how I would feel if it happened again.”
The Examiner has also reported on other graves having been damaged in the cemetery.
