Items have been stolen from the grave of a motorbike fan who died unexpectedly at the age of 20.

The family of Liam Sturgess - who died in 2014 - are appealing for the return of items stolen from the Eythorne plot.

Father Kevin Sturgess said: "My wife had gone down to see Liam, as she does almost every day. She'd started weeding and realised 'Hang on a minute there's stuff missing'.

"She rang me about it, but I'd thought someone was just messing around and moved it but many things had gone."

Among the items taken was a lantern painted by his girlfriend to look like a TARDIS, as Liam was a Doctor Who fan.

His girlfriend had also made him a pair of puzzle pieces that are about a foot across, which were also stolen.

Also removed was a David Tennant Pop Vinyl figure, a Buzz Lightyear figurine, a black hedgehog, a dalek, a motorbike, a stone owl face and a hand trowel used to keep the grave tidy.

Posters have since been placed around the village, with a heartfelt message petitioning for the return of the items.

Mr Sturgess, 53, said: "I put posters up around the village, hoping the person would see it, think 'I've been a bit of an idiot' and put back the stuff but so far nothing at all.

"We can't understand why someone would take them. Liam's been there for five years and I can't think of anybody who'd do this.

"He didn't have grudges or enemies, he wasn't that sort of lad. He got on with everybody.

"He'd been studying in Wales before it happened so it's not as if he'd been spending much time in the village at that point.

"What is equally irritating is that it's not like his grave is right next to the fence.

"I can't get my head around the thought process of someone walking past and thinking 'That's a nice grave, I'm going to take these things'.

"They must have come with a bag because those puzzle pieces were pretty big and they took so much stuff.

"The lantern was really fragile - something we were thinking about having to repair or replace. It's been there for almost as long as Liam has."

When asked what Kevin would like to say to the culprit, he said: "Do you understand, do you have any idea of the pain that this has caused?

"I tend to lock stuff up in a safe in my head and not think about it, my wife on the other hand can't deal with it that way.

"To have lost him in the first place is bad enough, to have someone take things from his grave is almost as bad.

"To come and do something like this just beggars belief. Do you have any idea of the pain your actions have caused?"

The 20-year-old had been enjoying a summer holiday with his family in the New Forest, before flying to Germany to spend time with his girlfriend.

They then took a road trip to Rome to help her brother relocate there ahead of studying in the city.

His father said: "On the journey back from Italy Liam became quite unwell, they went to see a local doctor once home in Germany.

"He worsened and was taken to a local hospital. Liam was found to have a bleed on the brain and underwent surgery.

"I had just done a night shift and was just parking up early that morning when I got a call from Louise to say he was in a coma.

"We got a flight to Germany and were taken to the hospital, where we were met by his girlfriend's family.

"He died later that night. It came out of nowhere."

Blood tests later revealed that Liam had undiagnosed Leukemia.

Having been excelling in his Product Design studies at Cardiff University, he was posthumously awarded a Certificate of Higher Education.

His grave at the Eythorne Baptist Church is joined by a memorial bench ringed with floral displays.

Mr Sturgess said: "It's one of those puzzles I just don't understand. If we'd upset somebody, I'd understand it, but come to us. What are you picking on him for?

"He can't defend himself, he can't stop anything.

"What are you picking on him for?"

"Hopefully someone reads this, recognises the items and thinks 'Where did they get all this stuff from?'

"The Pop Vinyls I understand why they might have taken them, but we're worried they've just chucked the lantern and puzzle pieces.

"Hopefully the right person reads this and sees there are some of the items in their house."

One Eythorne resident, nine-year-old Tommy, read the posters and offered his own Buzz Lightyear toy "to keep Liam safe" until Liam's own one is found.

While the family "certainly aren't looking for donations, we want his own stuff back, that's a really touching thing for someone to do."

Since speaking to KentOnline on Wednesday, the hedgehog, the Dalek and the motorcycle have been returned.

Mr Sturgess said: "Thank you to whomever returned those pieces. We are hoping that the other pieces, in particular the puzzle and the Tardis lantern may yet be returned."

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