by Hayley Robinson

Yobs have torn up flowers planted in memory of Michael Chapman (pictured), who was kicked to death in an unprovoked attack.

His mother, Sue, had planted seven honeysuckle and three jasmine plants along the path of St Bartholomew’s Church, Bobbing, in April to mark what would have been his 21st birthday.

She was devastated to find they had been ripped from the ground when she visited the church at 5.10pm on Saturday, September 10.

Michael, who lived in the ­village, was walking home across Gore Court playing field on June 16, 2006, when he was attacked by former friend Lee Cowie. The 16-year-old died in the arms of his older brother David.

Since his death, family and friends have raised funds to rebuild the path at the ­Bobbing church where he is ­buried.

Mrs Chapman said the ­vandalism had broken her heart. The flowers, which cost about £20, had been intact when she visited just after 6am that morning.

She added: "We’ve worked so damn hard for that church then you get some mindless, really pathetic person who does something like that.

"It wasn’t a case of seeing them from the side of the road, they actually had to come into the church [grounds] and walk down the path to get to them.

"We’re trying to make the church path look nice for people who go there to visit their loved ones but then you get these ­disrespectful and disgusting people that think they can do this, they don’t care.

"They probably think the church does it all but they don’t.

"It’s cost us about £10,000 to do it all and it does look beautiful."

Anyone with information should contact Kent police on 01622 690690 quoting reference number 10-1142.