A family say their son’s grave was vandalised by a former love rival with the words: ”Ha Ha Ha Liam. Looks like diabetes won again”.
The loved ones of Liam Scarman are seeking answers after his resting place was attacked and covered with white paint.
Liam died of diabetes aged 22 on Boxing Day in 2017 after a suffering a diabetic hypo.
His grave at Westerleigh Crematorium was damaged sometime between 5pm on Thursday 26 and 5am on Friday 27 November.
Liam’s headstone was drenched in white paint and a note was also left.
It read: “Ha Ha Ha Liam. Looks like diabetes won again! P*ssyhole bruv.”
Liam, who worked in insurance sales, died at his dad’s house in Winterbourne Down., Glos, while living his brother Oliver and girlfriend.
Liam’s father, plumber and heating engineer Trevor Scarman, 65, believes the culprit could be associated with a former love rival.
He said: “It’s not only losing your son – you’re also losing your best mate – it’s like someone is sticking a knife in you and twisting it.
“You go through all that grieving and this just brings it all straight back.
I need to know who it is, why they did it, I just want justice.”
Trevor says the police are speaking to a potential suspect who has links to a former love rival.
Trevor spent the years after Liam’s death raising over £10,000 for the South West Diabetes Foundation – working in tandem with his son’s favourite pub in Worcester.
“What kept me going after Liam died was concentrating on raising money,” he added.
“We raised money that specifically went towards research to diabetes and I’m so proud of that.
“I don’t want anyone else to go through what me and Liam’s mum have gone through.”
Liam’s mum, Sue Witt added: “It’s disgusting, absolutely disgusting.
“If I thought Liam had enemies, I’d get it but nearly 400 people went to his funeral.
“He was so well liked by everybody so that’s what shocked me most of all.”
A spokesperson for Westerleigh Group said: “I can confirm that a memorial stone at Westerleigh Crematorium, near Bristol, had white paint poured over it during the night of November 26 and 27.
“No other memorials at the site were affected. Police have been made aware and the Westerleigh Group will give its full co-operation to their investigations.
“Staff from the crematorium cleaned the stone and quickly restored it to its original condition.”
Somerset and Avon Police’s Investigating officer PC Kyle Maywood said: “This is an abhorrent crime which has left the family of Liam Scarman absolutely distraught. To commit an act of criminal damage like this is unthinkable.
“As well as the damage caused by the paint, a distasteful note was also left on the back of the headstone, which has caused additional grief to Liam’s parents, who are still coming to terms with the tragic loss of their son three years ago.
“There will be people out there that know who’s responsible and I’d urge them to do the right thing and come forward.
“The neighbourhood team are carrying out a number of enquiries, including reviewing CCTV from around the area, but we also need the public’s help.
“If you have information on who was responsible, or saw or heard anything which could assist us, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5220267420”
