Vandals wreck memorial
Thugs vandalised a memorial set up for a Black Country teenager on Christmas Day.
The family of 17-year-old Jacob Samuel Wilkes, who took his own life in October 2008, are "devastated" by the destruction, which included ripping up a planted Christmas tree and setting fire to it on the memorial bench.
Framed photographs of Jacob were smashed and strewn about the tribute in Kings Hill Park, Darlaston. Parents Tony, aged 47, and Tracey, 44, of Walsall, said they wanted the vandals who caused the damage to be found and punished.
Tony said: "They ripped out his tree, put it on the bench and set fire to the whole thing. They have completely smashed all the photos. I'm disgusted. It's horrible, especially at this time of year."
His uncle, Andy Langford, 45, also from Walsall, added: "We want to make the public aware of it so they may be able to name and shame the people who have done it."
An appeal has been launched on Facebook to find out the identity of the thugs and bring them to justice. Jacob, brother to Joshua, 21, and Daniel, 23, was found hanged at his home in Broadwaters Road on October 3, 2008.
