VANDALS have overturned nine headstones and violated a memorial garden dedicated to a recently-buried child.

The attack happened at Barlby cemetery, where the parents of six-year-old Josh Crowder had built a little memorial garden, featuring some of his toys, next to his grave.

The vandals dumped vases and ornaments from other graves on to Josh's garden, from which they stole cloth ears from a headband, a toy chicken and egg from a tiny basket, and glow sticks from an overhanging tree.

Josh, a former Barlby Hill Top School pupil, was killed in February when he was struck by a car near his home, in Northfield, Barlby.

His mother, Sarah Crowder, 26, said today: "The things that were stolen might not seem much to other people but to us they were precious.

"Tampering with his memorial garden is unforgiveable. We have just buried our child, and these hooligans are trying to destroy it."

Mrs Crowder, who visits her son's grave every morning, said: "It has upset the whole family, but I'm afraid nothing is sacred any more."

Josh's father, Stuart, 28, said: "I'm fuming. I dug out the hedge to make the memorial garden, planting primroses and other flowers, and putting in some tiny dinosaurs, his favourite toy."

Josh's grandmother, Elaine Crowder, of Turnhead Crescent, Barlby, said: "It's like going through the bereavement all over again. Words fail me. Sarah still cries herself to sleep every night, and this has only opened up what is still a raw wound."

Noreen Gouldsbrough, who is a warden at All Saints Church, Barlby, said: "We've had gravestones knocked over several times during the last few weeks, but this was beyond the pale."

The Rev Francis Loftus, associate priest at All Saints Church, Barlby, described the incident as "sad and depressing".

He said: "Tampering with Josh's little garden and knocking over gravestones is highly insensitive. It's time these people started showing more respect."

Just a few weeks ago, four headstones were pushed over and damaged at Selby Cemetery, all belonging to the graves of recently-deceased.

Updated: 15:03 Wednesday, July 03, 2002