A memorial plaque to a young mum murdered in a city park 15 years ago has been damaged by “mindless” vandals.

The tribute was placed in St Stephen’s Park, Canterbury, where 24-year-old Claire Streader was strangled by taxi driver Merrick Rogers in a sexually motivated attack in 1999.

The plaque, which marked where a tree had been planted in her memory, was discovered snapped in half.

Rogers, now 40, was jailed for life but was recently released from prison after serving 15 years.

The damage to the plaque was highlighted by passer-by Jane Lamb on the Canterbury Now Facebook page.

She wrote: “I knew Claire and we always remember her when we walk by, which is why we realised the plaque was broken.

“I have no idea what someone would achieve by doing such a mindless act. These small memorials give comfort and peace to people and a place of remembrance.”

The plaque has since been repaired by fellow Facebook group member Andy Dobson, who took it away to fix and returned it.

Claire’s dad, Peter Streader, who lives in Chartham, says he hopes the memorial was not damaged deliberately.

He said: “I would like to think that no one would do something like that on purpose. Perhaps it could have been damaged by a lawnmower or a football, but it was nice of someone to fix it.

“I shall talk to some of Claire’s friends and see if something more durable, like a stone plaque, can replace it.

"To be honest, I haven’t been up there for a few years and I know Claire’s stone in the cemetery needs some TLC.”

Mr Streader, 72, also revealed he has terminal cancer and is being cared for by his son Julian, who is living with him. He lost his wife Ann to the disease in 2008.

Speaking of Rogers’ release, he said: “He took Claire’s life and now has a new one ahead of him. Life should have meant life, but there is nothing I can do about it.”