Fury as vandals steal memorial (From Penarth Times)

Fury as vandals steal memorial

THE FAMILY of a Dinas Powys schoolgirl killed by a train last November have described vandals who stole a plaque attached to an Oak Tree to commemorate her life as 'evil'.

An inquest into the death of Angharad Raworth, 15, recorded a verdict of accidental death in May after the girl was hit by a train on the railway line at Dinas Powys in November 2003.

Angharad's grandmother, Wendy Hooper, said: "Angharad often used to go to that oak tree with her friends. We obtained permission from the Woodland Trust to fix a plaque to the trunk of the tree in her memory.

"Her family and friends placed messages, flowers and memorabilia around the tree. Her little sister left drawings there for Angharad that she did at school. Now the plaque, which was screwed to the tree, has been removed and all things we left have been taken away.

"This despicable act has caused further distress to Angharad's grieving family. To the person or persons who did this, I sincerely hope that when you lose loved ones that your conscience, if you have one, will be tormented by this evil deed."

The inquest into the death heard how Angharad pushed her boyfriend Matthew Jackson-Hookins out of the path of a speeding train last November.

Angharad, 15, of Longmeadow Drive, was praised by the coroner for her "brave and selfless" action.

The inquest heard how the couple missed their last train after a night out and took a short-cut home by walking along the railway line.

It was dark and raining heavily when a train came up behind them.

British Transport Police investigator David Emmott said: "The driver saw them walking side by side, sounded his horn and applied his brakes. "He saw Angharad push her boyfriend off the track, but she was unable to get out of the path of the train."

Angharad died of head injuries in hospital later that day.