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.”