Heartless thieves run off with bench from Rotherham memorial garden dedicated to Millers fan Owen
Family describe callous theft as ‘really sad’
Callous thieves who have stolen a bench from the memorial garden dedicated to Millers fan Owen Jenkinson have been branded “disgusting”.
The bench, located at the New York Stadium, was found to be missing on Sunday (November 8) .
Rotherham United Official Supporters Club created the memorial garden in honour of Millers fan Owen who passed away in November last year aged 17 after a long battle with cancer.
The theft comes just days after Owen’s October Challenge raised £70,000 for PACT (Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia).
Owen’s dad Bill told the Advertiser: “We think it’s really sad.
“People need to stop stealing stuff away from memorial gardens.
“It’s just really sad that people have taken a bench that was for people to sit on and enjoy the area.”
Owen’s sister, Ciara, added: “I found out about it via Facebook. It’s quite sad.”
Roy Squires, who created the bench from scaffolding boards and put it in place, said it may have been taken as far back as last Wednesday or Thursday.
He said: “They have worked it and worked it to get it out. There must have been two of them.
“People have all kicked off online and said what the people who did it must be like.
“It’s absolutely disgusting. What I think of them you couldn’t print in the paper.
“How can people do something like that?”
But Mr Squires said he refuses to be beaten and is already planning a replacement bench from wood he has already found.
He added that there have already been other offers to help.
Mr Squires hoped that there may be CCTV footage of the culprits.
The Rotherham United Official Supporters Club page on Facebook has also hit out at the theft.
It says: “So disappointed someone has stolen the wooden bench at the memorial garden.
“Cannot express how upsetting this is and suspect it went on someone’s bonfire!
“If anyone saw or knows anything could you please let us know.
“How disrespectful to this beautiful memorial garden!”