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Valerie Stead abused and hit with water bottle after challenging daffodil thief

A pensioner was reportedly hit with a water bottle and suffered "more abuse than she has ever had in her life" when she stood up to a thief who stole large numbers of daffodils from a communal park in Burham.

Valerie Stead, 70, was walking her pet dog near the recreation ground on Rochester Road when she spotted a woman park her car up nearby and pick "armfuls" of the flowers before returning to her vehicle.

Mrs Stead confronted the woman, telling her that the daffodils were not hers to take, and that they were planted for the people of Burham - voted Kent village of the year in 2008 - to enjoy.

Bill Stead at the spot where 70-year-old wife, Valerie, was ‘abused and assaulted’ when she took exception to a lady picking daffodils
Bill Stead at the spot where 70-year-old wife, Valerie, was ‘abused and assaulted’ when she took exception to a lady picking daffodils

However, she was then met with a tirade of expletives by the driver, according to her 80-year-old husband, Bill, who is also vice-chair of the parish council.

He said: "It annoys me, the fact she is stealing from the people of Burham - we always try to defend our village.

"This woman gave my wife more abuse than she has ever had in her life. She said 'don't you dare knock on my window with my three-year-old son in the car, he told me to take them for his nanna'.

"She then threw a plastic bottle at her. Nine hundred and ninety-nine times out of a thousand it wouldn't have hit her, but it did. It was an unpleasant experience.

"My poor wife just thinks she is defending the village and instead gets abused and assaulted."

A police spokesperson said: "Kent Police received a report that at around 11am on Friday, March 30, a woman was seen picking daffodils from a flower bed maintained by the local parish council in Rochester Road, Burham.

Bill Stead's wife Valerie challenged someone picking daffodils at this spot
Bill Stead's wife Valerie challenged someone picking daffodils at this spot

"When she was challenged by a passer-by it is said the woman became verbally abusive and assaulted them. The member of the public did not suffer any injury.

"The suspect is described as being white, in her early 30s, with a round face and blonde hair. She left the scene in silver Toyota RAV 4.

"Anyone who saw the incident or who has any information that may help the investigation is asked to contact Kent Police on 01634 604100 quoting reference YY/11146/18.

"Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

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