Mum's heartbreak after memorial bench to Courtney Ellis damaged

Haydock High pupil Courtney Ellis tragically died aged 14 after being knocked down on Blackbrook Road, Blackbrook at about 9.50pm on September 19 last year.

A memorial bench and tree in Courtney's name were unveiled to provide the family with "a safe space to remember all the good times together".

Courtney's grandad, siblings and mum sat on her bench

The bench has a plaque on it which says ‘A mum’s adoration, a special bond of creation, a sister’s love is titanium’

Courtney's mum Angela Burke went with relatives to the memorial for a gathering to mark what would have been Courtney's 15th birthday.

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However, before arriving she was told by a friend that the plaque had been removed.

The plaque

Angela said: "It broke my heart but I made sure it didn't stop me celebrating her birthday but it's made me so upset and angry that someone could stoop so low.

"It was there on Tuesday as I drove past at 9pm and I always look over at the bench as you can see it from the road, so it was done on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

"A friend was there early in the (Wednesday) morning and she phoned me and prepared me for it, it wasn't nice to see."

Angela added: "It was a present to Courtney and her memory, from me. It just means a lot to me and to see that, I feel like they are trying to cause me terrible pain, it just feels horrible.

"I just want people to see what has happened. It is bad enough to go through all the grief of losing a child."

Police had arrested two teenagers in connection with Courtney's death but no charges have been brought. The investigation remains ongoing.