A FAMILY today slammed mindless vandals who destroyed a statue of horror icon Freddy Krueger placed at their daughter’s graveside.

The statue was left in tribute to devoted mother and horror film fan Christine Harrison, 28, who died in a road accident in Darlington in March.

Her sister, Zoe Harrison, was horrified to find the statue had been broken up and strewn around North Road Cemetery when she went to tend her sibling’s grave on Tuesday (July 9).

Mother Francine Harrison has now urged the culprits to come forward and apologise, saying the act had left the family – including Christine’s eight-year-old daughter Shaney-Leigh – devastated.

She said: “The statue had been there, untouched, since her funeral. This has been a deliberate act, someone has done it and we do not know who or why.

“The bairn is heartbroken and thinks they are going to come back and do something to her mammy. I could not eat, I felt physically sick and her sister has been trying to rebuild the statue on her own.

“Christine was a well-liked girl and this has come as a massive shock. We want an apology.

“Christine had done nothing and it is just disrespectful, she did not ask to die and her bairn did not want her to die.

“We are just trying to come to terms with everything as a family, which is hard enough on its own."

She said she wanted those responsible to "see how hurtful this has been".

"It is the last thing we have of her," she said.

“It is not just about us. A lot of people put a lot of time and money into looking after people’s graves. Shaney-Leigh makes things for her mammy and we spend money on flowers.

“They do not realise the hurt and pain they are causing people doing things like this.”

Police are investigating the incident and believe the damage was caused overnight between Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9.

The Northern Echo: Floral Tribute
The floral tribute to Christine Harrison

PC Simon Spellman said: “This act of mindless vandalism has caused a family still traumatised by the loss of a loved one undue stress and worry and I would appeal to anyone with information about the incident or the people responsible to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.