Vandals wreck headstone of tragic Bedlington car crash victim Bethany Fisher in 'abhorrent crime'

Sick graffiti has been daubed on the gravestone of tragic teenager Bethany Fisher, who died in a horror car smash.

Bethany was killed when the car she was in crashed close to her home, on Victoria Terrace in Bedlington, Northumberland. Hours earlier she had been out celebrating her 19th birthday. Jordan O’Donnell who was behind the wheel of the car pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and a string of other offences, in connection with the smash, which happened during the early hours of August 19, 2017.

And now Bethany's already heartbroken loved ones have been dealt a new agonising blow after discovering her final resting place, at had been targeted, the day before her birthday, and two days before the seventh anniversary of her death. Writing has been scrawled over Bethany's headstone, at Netherton Lane Cemetery in Bedlington, and police are now probing the heartless vandalism.

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Bethany's mum Isabelle Easson said: "We have to live with the heartbreak of losing our beautiful girl each and every day. Time will never heal these wounds, and now our suffering has been made worse by this horrendous act. Whoever is responsible for causing our family such distress at what is always the most difficult time of the year for us is utterly heartless.”

Police say the vandalism is believed to have been committed between 11pm on August 15 and midday on August 16. And officers are now appealing for information that might them catch the culprits.

Insp Wayne Daniels, of Northumbria Police, said: “This act of vandalism at Bethany’s grave- a place where loved ones come to remember their beloved daughter, sister and friend – is an abhorrent crime.

“We would urge anyone who has any information about what has happened, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to come forward.”

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Bethany had been out celebrating her birthday and O’Donnell was "showing off" after offering to give her and her best friend, Meg McBurnie, 19, a lift home. The court heard how O'Donnell, who had only passed his test weeks earlier, carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on a bend and lost control, smashing into parked cars on Victoria Terrace, careering out of control and hitting a fence and wall.

O’Donnell fled to his home nearby, phoned police and lied that his car had been stolen during a burglary. Despite the efforts of neighbours and paramedics, Bethany died of her injuries before she could reach hospital.

O'Donnell, then of Waverly Court, Bedlington Station, Northumberland, was jailed for six years in October 2017 and banned from driving for four years following his release.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police quoting crime reference number 096827A/24.