Mum mortified by nine-year-old son’s vandalism

A mum described how she was mortified to discover her nine-year-old son had been involved in vandalism at a community park.

Last month play equipment, seats and planters were damaged at a newly completed recreation area in Cockfield.

It had taken the parish council almost three years to transform an overgrown bowling green into a picnic area with play equipment, an outdoor gym and BMX track.

The issue was discussed at the parish council’s latest meeting which was attended by the mother of one of three youngsters believed to have been involved in the vandalism.

She said: “That was my kid.

“I grabbed him by the little ear and dragged him down there because this is not something we tolerate as a family.

“He will never do that again.”

She said three children were involved and the parents of another child had also gone down to the park to make repairs and do litter-picking in the area.

However, she added that the parents of the third child denied involvement.

A friend of the mother had also been involved in the repairs.

Cllr David Britton told the mother and friend that they should not have made repairs.

He said: “You had no right to touch them.

“We knew they were damaged, we had it in hand, but you took it upon yourselves.”

Cllr Neville Singleton added: “[It must be done by] a professional insured with cover.

“If anyone has an accident on the seats now, you are liable.”

The mother responded: “I took it on myself in the sense that I have a nine-year-old who is an absolute doughnut, and he was.

“I was mortified by his behaviour.”

The friend added: “Out of sheer kindness – bearing in mind I had nothing to do with benches being damaged – I was supporting my friend.

“We helped and I am sorry our goodwill gesture has upset anybody.”