MYSTERY surrounds the discovery of a casket, thought to contain the ashes of a North-East man, found buried in a back garden.

The wooden box has a cross and a plaque engraved with the words ‘Thomas Lawson Cox, died 15th June 2008’ and it is believed it holds his remains.

It was discovered buried in a shallow grave, wrapped in a plastic bag last week in the garden of Bill Stephenson, 70, of Wesley Terrace in Chester-le-Street, when a gardener was mowing the lawn.

The retired hospital telephonist said: “It was wrapped in a black bin liner and the lawn mower has ripped some of the top soil off as the gardener was cutting the grass. That is how we have seen it. I had no idea it was there.”

Mr Stephenson, pictured below, has lived in the house for 46 years and is keen to get to the bottom of how the casket came to be buried under grass.

The Northern Echo: ASHES: Bill Stephenson, of Wesley Terrace, Chester le Street, has unearthed the ashes of Thomas Lawson Cox, in his back garden. Picture: TOM BANKS (29284408)

He said: “I have no idea who he was or how he ended up in my garden. That is the big mystery.

“It is a big garden so it could have been done without me knowing.

“Someone could have sneaked in when it was dark, but why?

“We have checked the whole street and no-one knows anyone called Cox. I want to know how he ended up here.”

Mr Stephenson got in touch with Durham Constabulary and officers have traced Mr Cox’s brother.

A force spokesman said: “The ‘casket’ is still in Mr Stephenson’s garden. We gather it cannot be removed without the appropriate paperwork from the Ministry of Justice.

“As it hasn’t been opened, we can only assume it contains the deceased’s ashes.”

Mr Cox’s family now need to get the relevant form from the Ministry of Justice and submit it before the casket can be removed.

The force spokesman added: “A local funeral director has indicated they are willing to assist in then taking the casket, or box back to Birtley crematorium which is where Mr Cox was cremated.

“The brother is not sure how the container ended up in this garden but is grateful he has been made aware so he can now find a more appropriate resting space in due course.”