A MUM has been left heartbroken after the grave of her 11-month-old son was desecrated by thieves weeks after his death.

Still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her son Leon last month Kelly Parker was devastated to discover that his grave has been targeted by thieves.

The young mum has spent hours tending to her son’s resting place, covering it with Astroturf, flowers and colourful solar lights because he loved having them in his bedroom.

But when she visited St Mary Extra Cemetery in Southampton she found the grave trashed, with two of the solar lamps stolen and teddy bears smashed.

As reported by the Daily Echo Leon was 11 months old when he died on July 5 after battling a rare genetic disease D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiency.

His death devastated his community, which rallied together in grief to raise up to £4,000 for the courageous youngster’s funeral.

He was diagnosed with the disease in November 2013 and lived much longer than doctors had expected but he lost his battle after contracting a chest infection and pneumonia.

It is believed the theft and damage at the cemetery in Portsmouth Road happened between midday on July 28 and 5.30pm on July 30.

Kelly, 20, said: “He was a very loved and well known little boy by people all over Southampton and other places.

“I can’t understand why somebody would do this to his grave as they can quite clearly see it is a baby’s grave. I am upset and angry to think that anybody could do this.

“I spent time making his grave just how he would like it. He loved bright colours and would always have the lights on in his bedroom at night and I just wanted to make it as good as I could for him.

“Whoever is responsible has done this for no reason as there is no money to be made from these solar lights. All they have done is upset me and my family and ruined a baby’s grave, it’s disgusting.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Mark Hawley at Bitterne police station on 101 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555 111.