by Hayley Robinson

A mum has made a heartfelt plea to thieves to return the toys taken from two memorial sites she created in memory of her severely autistic son.

Christopher Wakeman died after he fell 20ft from the Quinton flyover on to the A249 in November last year.

Moments earlier the 23-year-old had managed to get out of the main door to Byfield Court Care Home, Sheppey Way, Bobbing, where he lived.

His mum Catherine Butters found some comfort in tying one of his favourite cuddly toy monkeys to the railings of the bridge along with a photo of her and Christopher.

Another was tied to a bench at The Leas, Minster, which also has photos of Christopher and a plaque. But within a few days of the toys being put there they were taken.

Mrs Butters, who lives in Minster, said: "I would appeal to the person or people who took them to put them back.

"I don’t care who took them I would just like them back.

"They might just be toy monkeys to them but they’re not to me, they were Christopher’s. He used to hang them on his curtain pole in his room. I don’t think they realise the significance of them.

"I feel really sad about it. They didn’t even last two weeks. The first one to be taken was the one at the bridge, I don’t know when exactly but I noticed it was missing on Saturday, September 15, as we drove underneath it.

"Then my friend walked her dog along Minster beach on Thursday and she let me know that had been taken too.

"I could kick myself for putting them there.

"They were fastened with a cable tie so someone has actually pulled them out and taken them.

"I just hope it’s not someone being vindicative or that they’ve been thrown away.

"I want to put something else up on the bridge, it’s the last place he was alive and it helps me, but I feel I can’t because they’re not going to be left alone. It’s a shame."

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent police on 101 quoting reference number 21-0502.