THE ‘devastated’ family of a man who died of a brain tumour is looking for answers after a memorial bench in his honour was destroyed by heartless vandals.

A bench in memory of Toby Carnell, that was placed in Victory Green, Brookvale, has been pushed over, its legs removed from the ground and the seat section taken.

The bench is dedicated to Toby, who died of a brain tumour aged 35 in 2008 and lived all his adult life in and around Basingstoke. The bench was placed in Victory Green as this was the route that Toby would walk to the station to get to work as a building services engineer.

Toby’s mother, Joan Carnell, said: “I am angry beyond words that someone has done this to the bench. I’m absolutely devastated that someone has done this and wonder if they actually read the plaque marking it out in his memory.

“I can’t even comprehend why someone would do this, it’s there in public for everyone’s benefit and you would think that people would treat it with care. But they obviously do not respect the property or the memory of my son.”

The vandalism is believed to have taken place over the weekend and the seat of the bench was removed by Monday, July 25 when Joan visited the scene.

The incident has been reported to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) and Hampshire Constabulary.

Joan added: “I want to thank everyone who has been sending kind words to us.

“It is our hope that we can find out who is responsible for this and restore the bench, but the council and the police have so far left us up in the air.”

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it is investigating the incident which it says is thought to have taken place between 10am on Thursday, July 20 and 8am on Monday, July 24.

Anyone with any information should call 101 with the crime reference number 44170284163.

While BDBC will repair superficial damage to memorial benches any irreparable damage will not lead to a replacement from the council.

When a bench is set up, the bench is paid for by the people who want it, and the council purchases it on their behalf. Then, the bench owners sign a document that gives them the responsibility for looking after any major damage.

BDBC confirmed the bench has now been taken to a depot to assess whether the damage could be repaired.