A COUPLE grieving the loss of their stillborn son say they are gutted after thieves stole toys placed at his grave.

Craig Davenport and Donna Harvey were left devastated after they lost their first son, Corey Lee, ten days before he was due to be born, in November 2006.

The couple, from Ouston, have visited Corey Lee’s grave, in Ropery Lane cemetery, in nearby Chester-le-Street, almost every day since, placing toys and ornaments, which they say are “our way of looking after him”.

Among the items were Bill and Ben statuettes and, to celebrate the recent World Cup, a gnome wearing an England shirt with a football at his feet.

But now, in two heartless thefts, all three have been stolen.

Mr Davenport, 34, said: “We can’t look after him because he’s not here.

“Our way of looking after him is taking down toys that we think he would have played with. I was gutted – to think there are sick people out there.

“Who would go into a cemetery and pinch stuff, knowing for a fact people are grieving about that person?

“We’re still grieving about Corey Lee. Donna and I thought our lives were over when he died. We were really down in the dumps.

“We know we’ll never replace Corey Lee. But we were just starting to pick up. We were just getting to feel happy again, and now we’ve been knocked to the ground.”

The thefts have been doubly difficult for the couple to take as they are busy caring for their baby son, Caden Lee, who is 14 weeks old. They also have a daughter, Cayla Louise, aged two.

Mr Davenport said the problems at the cemetery began with Corey Lee’s toys being turned to face the wrong way.

Both thefts have taken place over the past few weeks.

Durham Police are investigating and Mr Davenport and Ms Harvey, 25, hope talking about their loss will help bring those responsible to justice.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Bob Lineham at Chester-le-Street police station on 0345-60-60-365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.