Graves vandal suspect in court

A man suspected of going on a wrecking spree that caused damage worth £100,000 to around 40 headstones at a Smethwick cemetery appeared in court today.

Jason Griffiths, aged 40, of Cowley Road, Oxford, is charged with damaging the headstones at Thimblemill Cemetery between 6pm and 9.30pm last Wednesday.

He was arrested in Reading early Saturday morning.

Griffiths, who was wearing a blue jumper and jeans, greeted magistrates with "Morning Sirs, Ma'am" as he was brought into the dock flanked by security guards at Warley Magistrates Court.

Miss Kelly Hale, prosecuting, said the case would need to be heard at the crown court due to the seriousness of the offence.

No application for bail was made and Griffiths was remanded in custody to re-appear at the court by video link on March 23.

At least 20 people, including those with family members buried at the ceremony, were at court today.

There was heckling as Griffiths was taken away.

Vases were smashed against headstones and flowers were strewn across the site during the wrecking spree. There have been calls for security to be stepped up.