Widower '˜gobsmacked' after roses placed at wife's grave are stolen

Dave Davison, 72 from Gosport, visited his wife’s headstone in Ann’s Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, February 14, to leave her a bunch of roses for Valentine’s Day.

But upon returning a few days later, he discovered that the roses had been stolen.

Mr Davison, an armed forces veteran, says he cannot understand why someone would take roses from a cemetery.

He said: ‘When I went into the cemetery and saw that the roses were missing, I was just gobsmacked.

‘I put the flowers into the pots at her headstone on Valentine’s Day – it is something that I have done every year since she died.

‘I went back a few days later to put some more flowers in there and saw that the roses had gone.

‘It was only the roses that had gone. I had left some other flowers and they were still there.

‘To be honest, I was at a loss for words – I just could not believe what had happened. It made me quite upset.

‘People might not understand but it is the little things like putting roses at her headstone that are important.

‘It is appalling that someone would think it is okay to take flowers from someone’s grave.’

Mr Davison’s wife, Heather, died in 2014, age 64 – she was a lover of all things floral, and roses were her favourite flowers.

Cllr Graham Burgess from Gosport Borough Council said: ‘This is an appalling act and it is understandable Mr Davison would feel distressed.

‘I would urge Mr Davison to contact the council directly so we can discuss any concerns.

‘Fortunately incidents like this are extremely rare, we haven’t had recent reports of anti-social behaviour and the cemetery is closed from 4pm to 9am – if anyone is concerned by suspicious activity call our street scene team on 0800 198 598.’