War veterans were left devastated when vandals broke into their normally peaceful garden and trashed a memorial bench for one of their own.
Staff at the Linburn Centre in Wilkieston, an activity hub for veterans with sight loss, were shocked when they discovered their garden had been targeted by thugs on Friday, April 30.
They said fencing and a wooden bench that had been built by one of the veterans who has since passed away was damaged, adding that it left them and service users distraught.
The Linburn Centre is run by the charity Sight Scotland Veterans.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “All at Sight Scotland Veterans have been saddened to learn of what appears to be an act of vandalism at the Linburn Centre grounds.
“Fencing and a wooden chair located in the Kestrel View area of the Linburn Centre’s gardens appear to have been damaged.
'The damaged wooden chair was built by one of the veterans we have supported and had been placed in the garden as an act of remembrance for that individual.
“This is particularly upsetting for our veterans’ community and our staff.”
The spokesperson said that the staff think the garden had been broken into at some point last Friday and urged members of the public to get in touch with the police to help catch the culprits.
They continued: “Over the years, the Linburn Centre’s gardens have been a place of peace and rehabilitation for many veterans with sight loss the charity supports.
“Since the Linburn Centre was established during World War Two, it has played a role in the heart of the Wilkieston community.
“We would very much encourage anyone who may have any information about this incident to please come forward to help police with inquiries.”
Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you wish to remain anonymous.
