Vandal is jailed for smashing up graves

A convicted criminal who caused up to £100,000 damage in a wrecking spree at a cemetery on the same day he was released from prison has been jailed for four years.

Jason Griffiths was high on drink and drugs when he smashed between 25 and 30 headstones at Thimblemill Cemetery in Smethwick on March 2.

Some of the stones were worth more than £10,000 and one was the headstone of a baby.

Sentencing him at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Judge John Warner said: "I've seen the photos, it is a picture of desecration.

"It's not just the damage in pounds that makes this offence so serious, it is the enormous hurt and heartache you have caused, not just to one person but to many individuals and families.

"I am not in the least bit surprised at the stress you have caused these people. You are highly culpable."

The court heard Griffiths, who has more than 70 previous convictions, showed no remorse after being arrested.

He is said to have bragged to officers: "I smashed up the gravestones of dead prison officers. How sick am I? I don't care, I'm getting to you guys now."

He also said he would not hesitate to do it again. But he later pleaded guilty to damaging property.

It was not revealed in court if any prison officers' relatives were buried at the cemetery.

Mr Mark Rees, prosecuting, told the court Griffiths had been released from Bullingdon Prison, in Oxfordshire, at noon on March 2.

He was told to go to a bail hostel in Reading but instead got on the train to Birmingham where he met friends and drank alcohol and took heroin.

The 40-year-old, of Cowley Road in Oxford, got into the graveyard via a hole in the fence. Police linked him to the crime after his fingerprints were found at the scene. They also found a bag containing alcohol as well as letters written by Griffiths, which revealed an obsession with smashing up gravestones.

Mr Tim Harrington, defending, pointed out his client's guilty plea as a mitigating factor but admitted: "There is nothing I can say to alleviate the stress he has caused."

He pointed out that although Griffiths has a lengthy list of previous convictions he had never done anything like this before. But Judge Warner said custody was inevitable. "It was not just a random act of vandalism," he said.

"It was clearly pre-meditated. I have read letters that reveal an obsession with smashing graves and in particular those of prison officers."

Griffiths made it obvious to the police that if he got out he would do it again.

The sentence was criticised as too lenient by June Hanley, whose husband's grave was among those smashed up.

Mrs Hanley, aged 67, who lives near Lightswood Road, Oldbury, said: "I think that stinks. It's disgusting and it makes a mockery of the law."

Karen Burton, aged 47, of Alexander Road in Smethwick, whose daughter is buried at the site, said: "I am gutted. So many people were affected, he should have got longer."

News of the cemetery being vandalised rocked the community. Many of the headstones were worth thousands of pounds but were not insured.

A number of fundraisers were organised with the proceeds going to families whose relative's graves had been damaged.

Events included a night of music and games at Smethwick Cricket Club on May 13. This was organised by teenager Jade Jarrett. A football match in Smethwick raised more than £800 to help families whose loved ones' gravestones were damaged.

About 100 people went to watch the charity football game and a raffle was held with prizes including tickets to watch Birmingham City.

Traders in Bearwood also collected money for the cause, raising about £1,000 in a week.

A collection by students at Perryfields School pulled in around £100.

In addition, thousands of people joined an internet group to show their support for people affected.

The Vandalised Headstones at Thimblemill Cemetery group was launched on Facebook.