Vandals remove Caroline Stuttle memorial tree from Coppergate Centre (From York Press)
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Vandals remove Caroline Stuttle memorial tree from Coppergate Centre
9:40am Friday 27th March 2009 in
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- By Haydn Lewis » haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk
THE mother of murdered York back-packer Caroline Stuttle has hit out at vandals who removed a flowering tree planted in her daughter’s memory.
Marjorie Marks-Stuttle said the incident was all the more hurtful because it happened on the night after Mothering Sunday and so close to the anniversary of Caroline’s death on April 10.
Mrs Marks-Stuttle said it was the second time that a tree planted in Caroline’s memory at the Coppergate Centre has been damaged.
Vandals snapped off the original tree, which was behind a memorial stone and plaque beside the Coppergate Centre in York, in November 2007, and the tree that has been removed was a replacement.
Mrs Marks-Stuttle, of Pocklington, said: “It’s just upsetting that people want to mindlessly destroy other peoples’ property. It’s especially upsetting as the plaque is there for everyone to see so they can read that it’s there in memory of somebody’s daughter.”
It is almost seven years since Caroline, 19, from Huntington Road, was robbed and thrown from a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg, Australia, when she was on a gap year tour with her best friend Sarah Holiday.
Heroin addict Ian Previte was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
“We planted the pear tree because it blossoms at the time of year when Caroline died,” said Mrs Marks-Stuttle.
Another commemorative tree has also been planted at the botanical gardens in Bundaberg.
The LK Bennett concession in Fenwicks York, at the Coppergate Centre, is holding a fundraising fashion show on Tuesday, between £6.30pm and 8.30pm.
The event will help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fenwicks and tickets costing £10 are available from LK Bennett at Fenwicks.
Proceeds will go to Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation, the charity set up to give safety advice to students going on gap year travels to prevent similar tragedies.
Mrs Marks-Stuttle said: “Caroline loved clothes, so this event seemed like an ideal way to help celebrate Fenwicks important anniversary year and raise funds for the foundation.”
Comments(37)
Michelle O'Malley
says...
9:50am Fri 27 Mar 09
Perhaps if another tree is planted in Caroline's memory it could be placed somewhere where there is less potential for chavs to vandalise it...
AngryandFrustrated
says...
10:05am Fri 27 Mar 09
To the scroate who thought it was a good idea to remove this tree - it's a shame you can't have your hands chopped off - that should stop you stealing for a while - I hope that you are plagued by bad luck and illness for the rest of your life because you deserve it - a lifetime of suffering is what you should receive - I sincerely hope that the flowering tree you STOLE one day makes you think of the misery and hurt you have heaped on this poor family.
Miss Ottis
says...
10:12am Fri 27 Mar 09
Uncle Tony
says...
10:38am Fri 27 Mar 09
My heart goes out to Caroline Stuttle's family and friends.
Jassy
says...
11:04am Fri 27 Mar 09
There are some truly sick people n this world.
brummie-ian
says...
11:26am Fri 27 Mar 09
Jassy wrote:agreed - I always stop and take a look too when I'm in York - hope it'll be third time lucky with a new tree ....
It was there two days ago but it looked as though the top had been snapped off. I always stop and look when I pass and was saddened as the plant was just breaking into bud. There are some truly sick people n this world.
Big Fella
says...
12:01pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Pedro
says...
2:03pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_
says...
2:16pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Honestly, read through the comments on here and tell me you lot don't sound as bad as the idiot who did this.
DAVE FROM LEAM
says...
2:22pm Fri 27 Mar 09
sun seeker's
says...
2:44pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:The saying is:
While I appreciate the sentimental significance to the tree, just remember... it's just a tree! Honestly, read through the comments on here and tell me you lot don't sound as bad as the idiot who did this.
"action speaks loader than words"!
Having thoughts or words isn't a crime, its when you (they) put them into action that it becomes a crime. In this case a sick one.
So therefore I totally disagree with your comment, as I am sure everybody else will.
AngryandFrustrated
says...
2:48pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:I think you should hang your head in shame at your comments - if it were a tree newly planted along a road or on a housing estate that had been vandalised, your comments may have some merit.
While I appreciate the sentimental significance to the tree, just remember... it's just a tree! Honestly, read through the comments on here and tell me you lot don't sound as bad as the idiot who did this.
However, it was not. It was a tree planted as a memorial to a young woman who died in the most horrific of circumstances. There could be no doubt to anyone who saw the tree that it was a memorial and there could be no doubt in the mind of the person who stole it.
I suppose you would have no objection if some scroate came and desecrated a grave or memorial of one of your family members, or maybe you feel that the behaviour is acceptable?
The reason that the comments on this thread are perhaps relatively extreme is that there are some things in life you JUST DON'T DO - grave robbing and memorial wrecking is one of them.
I pity you as by your comments it would appear that you do not have the same moral outrage as the other commentators who have posted on this story - that's extremely sad.
Uncle Tony
says...
3:27pm Fri 27 Mar 09
AdmiralNN
says...
3:35pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:Hey, trees have feelings too!
While I appreciate the sentimental significance to the tree, just remember... it's just a tree! Honestly, read through the comments on here and tell me you lot don't sound as bad as the idiot who did this.
akuma
says...
3:57pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Backwards Britain and its finest justice system.
Jo_
says...
4:25pm Fri 27 Mar 09
It wasn't a person who was attacked, it was a symbol. They will have done it for the laughs and then forgotten about it.
Honestly the way some of you are going on you'd have thought they murdered someone.
Comments like "it's a shame you can't have your hands chopped off - that should stop you stealing for a while - I hope that you are plagued by bad luck and illness for the rest of your life because you deserve it - a lifetime of suffering is what you should receive" actually scare me a little.
But hey, if you want to get back to your tabloid brainwashed "string em up it's the only language they understand" Alf Garnett style mentality feel free.
By the way, the word some of you are looking for is "scrote", derrived from the word scrotum and popularised by The Bill, a fictional drama programme on ITV.
LittleTed
says...
4:32pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:It might just be a tree to you but I'm sure it's more than just a tree to the Stuttle family.
While I appreciate the sentimental significance to the tree, just remember... it's just a tree!
Honestly, read through the comments on here and tell me you lot don't sound as bad as the idiot who did this.
If you cant make a sensible comment then don't bother!
old_geezer
says...
4:54pm Fri 27 Mar 09
"Scrote" was devised by the scriptwriters of "Porridge", who also came up with "Naff off".
AngryandFrustrated
says...
4:55pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:Wow, you scare easily. I suggest that you read the story properly - this wasn't a tree that was vanadalised - it was stolen completely. Therefore, unless you have intimate knowledge of the thief, you have no way of knowing whether or not it was a chav or a hardened thief who stole it.
I don't need to hang my head in mock tabloid "shame". This was a tree that got vandalised by chavs. End of story. It wasn't a person who was attacked, it was a symbol. They will have done it for the laughs and then forgotten about it. Honestly the way some of you are going on you'd have thought they murdered someone. Comments like "it's a shame you can't have your hands chopped off - that should stop you stealing for a while - I hope that you are plagued by bad luck and illness for the rest of your life because you deserve it - a lifetime of suffering is what you should receive" actually scare me a little. But hey, if you want to get back to your tabloid brainwashed "string em up it's the only language they understand" Alf Garnett style mentality feel free. By the way, the word some of you are looking for is "scrote", derrived from the word scrotum and popularised by The Bill, a fictional drama programme on ITV.
I am glad that you can dimiss memorials, and presumably graves, as "symbols" and therefore not worthy of any special significance - thankfully in my experience you are in the minority - I presume that you think that funerals are a waste of time and grieving for the dead is a waste of energy. How nice to be able to be so devoid of human emotion.
Feel free to explain to Mrs Stuttle and the rest of Caroline's friends and family that there is nothing to be upset about - it was only a tree, a "symbol" after all so why should they be upset, and why should people be outraged at the crime? Maybe, when you see the distress that has been caused, you may review what "symbols" mean to people.
In my world, the dead receive respect and memorials and graves are worthy of special protection. There is nothing more disrespectful than desecrating a memorial or grave and in my world, thankfully, there are just some things you don't do. If that means returning to my "tabloid brainwashed "string em up it's the only language they understand" Alf Garnett style mentality", way of life, then on this occasion, I am very happy to do so.
chunks
says...
5:45pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:So it's only a tree is it? No, actually it isn't. Your view is naive.
I don't need to hang my head in mock tabloid "shame". This was a tree that got vandalised by chavs. End of story.
It wasn't a person who was attacked, it was a symbol. They will have done it for the laughs and then forgotten about it.
Honestly the way some of you are going on you'd have thought they murdered someone.
Comments like "it's a shame you can't have your hands chopped off - that should stop you stealing for a while - I hope that you are plagued by bad luck and illness for the rest of your life because you deserve it - a lifetime of suffering is what you should receive" actually scare me a little.
But hey, if you want to get back to your tabloid brainwashed "string em up it's the only language they understand" Alf Garnett style mentality feel free.
By the way, the word some of you are looking for is "scrote", derrived from the word scrotum and popularised by The Bill, a fictional drama programme on ITV.
What that tree is, is what it represents - a memorial to a lost and treasured daughter.
By attacking the tree you are not only attacking that memory, but also showing a complete lack of respect for, and disregard of, another's feelings.
Jo_
says...
6:03pm Fri 27 Mar 09
You're claiming this as a personal attack on you, which it isn't, all the while making comments which are perhaps illegal to make in this country. Some of you are advocating throwing them in the foss, cutting their hands off, a lifetime of suffering and illness, and so on.
You make me sick.
For the record I feel sorry for the murdered girl's family, but at least I have some sense of perspective.
You are the ones who need to hang your heads in shame, you sound like the Salem Witch mob.
tonezzzznoddedoff
says...
6:24pm Fri 27 Mar 09
chunks
says...
6:34pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:Jo
I'm so glad you think I'm devoid of human emotion because you won't be able hear me laughing at your false piousness, your mock indignation, your tabloid-programmed buffoonery at someone attacking a tree, bought by a family you don't know, representing the memory of a girl you never knew.
You're claiming this as a personal attack on you, which it isn't, all the while making comments which are perhaps illegal to make in this country. Some of you are advocating throwing them in the foss, cutting their hands off, a lifetime of suffering and illness, and so on.
You make me sick.
For the record I feel sorry for the murdered girl's family, but at least I have some sense of perspective.
You are the ones who need to hang your heads in shame, you sound like the Salem Witch mob.
The fact that we never knew the individual nor the family does not mean that we cannot be concerned by the actions of people who have shown no respect for others.
It's called "empathy" Jo, something which you evidently lack.
The views of the majority of the posters on this issue are not based upon "tabloid programmed buffoonery", but rather upon their rightful indignation and sense of injustice at a terribly thoughtless act .
There are many on this message board who are seeking to make genuine and reasoned observations, but it serves your purpose not to deal with them, but rather simply to dismiss everyone as being knee jerk reactionaries. Do you not have the ability to deal with the more reasoned points Jo?
Frankly Jo you have no sense of perspective at all, and you don't seem to realise how dangerous it is for people like you to dismiss actions as being "just this" or "just that".
Society as a whole has to draw a distinction between what is right and what is wrong. If society (as you do) dismiss certain criminal actions as "just attacking a tree" then incrementally the behaviour of society gets worse.
Laugh at that Jo.
Mullarkian
says...
6:54pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_
says...
7:02pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Look at the baseless personal insults that have been thrown at me. The latest alleges I don't have empathy!
How dare you suggest that. You don't know me.
Because I can think for myself and have a different opinion to the moronic mob mentality and Daily Mail mentality that so many Press readers sadly seem to suffer from, I'm attacked.
How can any right-minded person condone the disgusting and appalling bile that has spilled from the keyboards of certain people here who advocate bypassing the justice system and instead resort to primitive vigilante "justice".
I want no part of it.
LittleTed
says...
7:27pm Fri 27 Mar 09
So please stop your petty bickering.
tubbs
says...
8:18pm Fri 27 Mar 09
my condolences to the stuttle for what must feel like grave robbery, i hope whoever did this feels shame. but i doubt it.
chunks
says...
8:50pm Fri 27 Mar 09
Jo_ wrote:You are a blatant hypocrite Jo.
This would be an excellent thread for a psychology student to study.
Look at the baseless personal insults that have been thrown at me. The latest alleges I don't have empathy!
How dare you suggest that. You don't know me.
Because I can think for myself and have a different opinion to the moronic mob mentality and Daily Mail mentality that so many Press readers sadly seem to suffer from, I'm attacked.
How can any right-minded person condone the disgusting and appalling bile that has spilled from the keyboards of certain people here who advocate bypassing the justice system and instead resort to primitive vigilante "justice".
I want no part of it.
In your post timed at 6.03pm you accuse people of "false piousness", "mock indignation", and "tabloid-programmed buffoonery", all aimed at people that you don't know.
When I accuse you of lack of empathy you reply: "How dare you suggest that. You don't know me."
This thread would indeed by excellent for a psychology student to study. Perhaps he/she would conclude that someone on this message board was an attention seeker?
Finally Jo, if you don't want any part of it, you shouldn't have bothered posting in the first place!
OLD - HEAD
says...
9:01pm Fri 27 Mar 09
gsykes
says...
10:21pm Fri 27 Mar 09
old_geezer
says...
12:45pm Sat 28 Mar 09
Again: it's not just a tree.
You have by your own words evidenced lack of empathy with the afflicted family, so that isn't a malicious falsehood hurled at you.
I hope you will in later years come to feel more strongly about such assaults on others' profoundest feelings.
onlooker
says...
2:11am Sun 29 Mar 09
sun seeker's
says...
6:01pm Sun 29 Mar 09
lets hope we never have to read about any of your families graves or memorials been vandalised! This sort of thing should never happen! To nobody.
onlooker
says...
1:46am Mon 30 Mar 09
TipTop
says...
9:33am Tue 31 Mar 09
apeman
says...
10:15am Wed 1 Apr 09
Jo_ wrote:You are a moron.
While I appreciate the sentimental significance to the tree, just remember... it's just a tree! Honestly, read through the comments on here and tell me you lot don't sound as bad as the idiot who did this.
Are you writing on this wall in an attempt to anger people? Or just to seek some attention and upset the masses - very Daily Mail of you.
Posting indignant messages on here VS stealing a memorial tree to a murdered York girl - yes I can see how people on here are as scummy as the vandals. Just crawl back down your crusty left wing hole and keep your thoughts to yourself.
Berk.
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FLASHBACK: Marjorie and Richard Stuttle at the unveiling of the memorial stone and tree for murdered Caroline Stuttle in 2002
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sun seeker's says...
9:49am Fri 27 Mar 09