The filth and the fury: Harsher punishments needed for memorial desecrators

In the past couple of years, the foul act of urinating on a war memorial has gone from being an unheard-of occurrence to a regular act.

The latest person to unload her bladder and her dignity is 32-year-old Wendy Lewis, who urinated on a war memorial in Blackpool and then gave a man oral sex.

As if that wasn't unpleasant enough, Lewis arrived late for her trial, swore at a line of World War Two veterans outside the court protesting her behaviour, and absconded after fifteen minutes.

Past offenders have received light punishments, despite anger from the public and the media.

Earlier this month, Douglas Tullin was fined just £50, as well as having to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £20 towards prosecution costs, after urinating on the war memorial at Old Eldon Square, near Monument, Newcastle.

Last year, Sheffield Hallam University student Philip Laing was ordered to carry out 250 hours of community service and pay £185 costs after urinating on a war memorial.

I am surprised that none of these disgusting idiots were made to attend classes where they could be educated about the sacrifices made during the First and Second World Wars.

As well as a punitive fine, there should be a long period of community service which includes tidying graves under supervision, cleaning the streets and wiping walls. Perhaps this could also involve doing chores for World War Two veterans.

Why are people doing this in the first place? Being drunk is no excuse. Perhaps we need to consider what is happening to British society, especially the lack of respect some people have for others.

Clearly, current punishments are not enough if, as the Guardian says, Wendy Lewis' case is the fourth this year.

Lancashire Police have issued a warrant for Lewis. Major Jim Houldsworth, vice-chairman of the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee, told the Blackpool Gazette: "This woman's behaviour has showed what she really is. She can't take her punishment so showed us the white flag.

"Those men sacrificed their lives for this woman's freedom, the level of disrespect is just revolting...I feel a custodial sentence would be appropriate."

The problem of memorial desecration has also occurred in the United States of America.

Barbara Ellen has another view on Wendy Lewis.