A GRIEVING mother said she feels like she lost her son twice after the council removed his memorial without notice.

Penny Dean’s son, Ollie Roberts, took his own life in January. His body was found in Middle Chine, which is where his family decided to set up a memorial for him.

Penny said: “When he died, we decided to visit and lay some flowers, and his brother made him a wooden cross with his name on it.

“Although it’s the place where he was in the most pain, it’s a place I feel connected to and where he found peace.

“I visited three to four times a week and it’s a place where his ten-year-old son could go and talk to his daddy.”

On the eight-month anniversary of Ollie’s death, his son wanted to ‘be with daddy’. They arrived to find everything gone.

Upon investigation, they discovered a handwritten note from BCP Council in a ‘very wet’ plastic wallet stating that they received complaints and were forced to remove the memorial.

Penny said: “I felt like it had been grave robbed.

“My grandson broke down and cried, I tried to give him reassurance, but we were both absolutely devastated.”

A collection of notes, fathers day and birthday cards was kept at the memorial as well as trinkets and painted rocks which the public had added- all of which had been removed.

The note from BCP Council said the items are “safely kept for you to collect at your convenience.”

However, Penny has called the number six times and sent two emails, to no avail and has been unable to retrieve the sentimental items.

BCP Council has since said the phone number written on the note by a worker had an incorrect digit on.

She said: “I am distraught that our special place has been destroyed but if I have to respect their decision, they should have respected our right to grieve.

“They should have left a note to inform me it needs removing and given me time to process and collect it myself with my grandson.”

Speaking about her son, Penny said: “He was my world, he had a wicked sense of humour. He adored his son and his son adored him.”

Kate Langdown, director of environmental services, said: “We are deeply sympathetic for this family’s loss and apologise for any further distress that the removal of these items has caused them. 

“The council navigates a difficult balance between supporting bereaved families in such tragic instances and the wider views of the public of any long-term memorials on public land.

“The usual procedure in these circumstances is to leave a note asking for us to be contacted to speak about the gradual removal of the memorial items. 

“Unfortunately, on this occasion, due to a misunderstanding, the items were cleared, and a note was left afterwards. We have taken steps to ensure this would not happen in the same manner again.

“We have carefully stored all the removed items and are currently in touch with the family to return these items directly to them.

“Whilst we are unable to accommodate unofficial memorials, we are always willing to discuss other recognised commemorative options with families and would like to reach out to the family to explore these long-term memorial opportunities with us.”