Audio By Carbonatix
A woman who was allegedly caught on camera stealing flowers from the grave of an 11-year-old boy has been charged with theft.
The unnamed 71-year-old is due to appear at Redbridge Magistrates' Court today where she is will be accused of taking the tributes from the grave of Robert Stringer in Barking, East London.
Yesterday it was claimed by the boy's family that the disgusted daughter of the woman who was filmed had given her name to police.
Robert's uncle Terence Rose said the family had received a call from officers to tell them the information.
Mr Rose said: 'The police called and told us they had received a phone call from the woman's daughter. She was appalled to see her mum on the CCTV images.
'The police wouldn't tell us any more information.'
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police later confirmed that a member of the public had contacted them to identify the alleged thief.
But she would not confirm if it was the woman's daughter who had phoned with the information.
They added that officers would approach the suspect later today.
Footage of the woman taking flowers was captured secretly by Robert's family after a number of plants and ornaments went missing from the grave at the Rippleside cemetery.
Robert's cousin Steve Rose spoke today of the family's shock at what the footage uncovered.
He said: 'We were surprised, everyone expected it to be kids. It's an awful, callous crime and none of us can understand how she could do that to a child.
'Robert was a lovely lad and it was a terrible tragedy.
'Potted plants and baskets started to disappear on a regular basis. That's why we installed the camera.
'I want this woman prosecuted for the terrible things she's done.
'It's not the cost of the flowers, it's the principle. The police have been very helpful but they told me she may only get a warning.'
Robert's aunt Kathleen Harris, 75, said: 'I'm devastated because we have cared for the grave for the last 30 years. I'm so angry. I want her to be named and shamed.
'For her to come along and fill her boots like that is just wicked. What right has she got to steal from that grave?"
Robert's parents George and Joan never got over his death, which happened in 1980, said the family.
His father George died in 1984 and mother Joan died in 2009. They were buried in the same plot as Robert.
Today a worker at the cemetery said: 'The council chief is coming to meet us today to talk about how this could have happened. She's furious apparently.
'But it's a huge cemetery and we can't be everywhere at once.
'I don't recognise the woman from the pictures. She's not someone I've seen here before.'
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Menstrual poverty: United Pension Trustees calls for an end to menstruation stigma
9 minutes -
Vaccine survey reveals strong public confidence as Ghana pushes local manufacturing agenda
14 minutes -
Ghana Navy, NPA intensify crackdown on illegal fuel smuggling network
15 minutes -
Weija Dam spill gates opened as Ghana Water warns of flood risk
22 minutes -
See shimmering new satellite image of Lake Bosomtwe showing gold glitters surrounding it – Earth from space
30 minutes -
ECG restores power at Tanyigbe SHS after week-long outage
41 minutes -
Bolivian president warns country at ‘breaking point’ after month of protests
1 hour -
Jill Biden says she thought husband was having a stroke during 2024 debate
1 hour -
Countries tighten travel rules as Ebola risk rises
1 hour -
Gold hits two-month low as US-Iran tension stokes inflation fears
1 hour -
Toyota sales drop for third month on declines in China, Middle East
2 hours -
Trump refiles $10bn defamation suit against WSJ over report on Epstein ties
2 hours -
Kenya school fire kills at least 10 students, media say
2 hours -
Don’t cry urgency – Majority Chief Whip warns NPP over LGBTQ bill debate
2 hours -
We can pass it by Friday – Dafeamekpor signals rapid move on LGBTQ bill
2 hours