Damage to Moulton War Memorial in Cheshire

[Stephen Barker]

Moulton war memorial was recently damaged - the arm being snapped off the monument.

Here's how the local paper reported the events:

Drunken actions damage memorial Nov 1 2006

Northwich Chronicle

TWO men caused £2,350 worth of damage to a war memorial in a 'drunken prank'.

Vale Royal Magistrates Court heard Christopher Bestall and Daniel Crossthwaite's actions caused the arm of the First World War soldier on Moulton War Memorial to snap off.

Bestall, 22, of Niddries Lane, Moulton, and Crossthwaite, 21, of Regent Street, Moulton, admitted criminal damage.

Their friend Stuart Eaton, 21, of Laburnum Road, Rudheath, admitted drunk and disorderly behaviour after hurling abuse at locals who remonstrated with the trio.

The court heard they had been out drinking on Friday, October 13. Bestall and Crossthwaite climbed over the memorial's 5ft railings to stand a 'For Sale' sign they had picked up against the statue, which knocked off the arm when the wind caught it.

Prosecuting, Karen Morgan Read said: 'The three admitted they were drunk and apologised for their actions, which were even more regrettable because they took place just weeks before Remembrance Sunday.'

Defending Crossthwaite and Bestall, Chris Johnson said: 'They behaved carelessly. Silly things seem funny when people are drunk and this was certainly silly but neither had any intention to damage the statue.

'Had people seen the sign the next morning with no damage done, though some people might have been offended, I would think most would have given a wry smile and thought what a silly thing it was to have done.'

Bench chairwoman Moira Chapman said the trio had shown genuine remorse.

But she said: 'The statue has great significance to the people of Moulton.'

Bestall and Crossthwaite were ordered to complete 150 hours community service and each pay £1,175 compensation and £20 costs. Eaton was fined £150 and told to pay £20 costs.

Does anyone the state of the reparations? Geoff, are you out there?

Stephen

[burlington]

My son lives in Moulton.

He has not mentioned this but he would have been be devastated to learn of what happened.

Martin

[jay dubaya]

'Had people seen the sign the next morning with no damage done, though some people might have been offended, I would think most would have given a wry smile and thought what a silly thing it was to have done.'

I would have seen the funny side but sadly this was not the case. Thankfully some things can be replaced.

Perhaps the comunity service dished out to them should have included reading out all the names on the memorial in front of the whole village...cheers, Jon

[burlington]

This is what my son, who lives in Moulton, said:

<quote>

No I have not seen anything.

But you get "gangs" of young lads hanging around the car park/childs play area, which is situated next to the war memorial (opposite end of Regent St, 50 yards from my front door), in their boy racers.

Idiots...fully deserve their sentences/fine.

</quote>

Martin