Captain Sir Tom Moore: Memorial sculpture vandalised with IRA message

A memorial to Captain Sir Tom Moore in Derbyshire was vandalised with graffiti, leaving a man feeling 'physically sick.'

The sculpture erected to honour Sir Tom's work for the NHS had 'IRA' sprayed over it.

The 100-year-old who died in February with Covid raised almost £33m for the NHS.

'I was on a walk around the meadow when I saw it - it made me feel physically sick,' said Anthony Ball, who discovered the crime.

'I had to go back home and fetch a bin bag to put on him. I couldn't let people see him with that graffiti on, it's not nice.

'I hope they're pleased with themselves, it's beyond belief.'

AGC Fabrications produced the sculpture honouring Sir Tom.

Austin Cox from the company said: 'I would like to say how disgusted the team are by the actions of a mindless person.

'Sir Tom was an inspiration to us all during the beginning of the pandemic, and to see the disrespect by someone on our take of a memorial for him upsets us all and the community.

'We would like the culprit to know that we have the resources to repaint, repair or replace Sir Tom and we will continue to do so.'