A GRIEVING man has been forced to remove remaining items from his wife’s grave after thieves targeted it for a third time.

Gwyn James - whose beloved wife Valerie Rose James died in August 2016 - has twice told the Argus that thieves stole items from his wife’s grave in December and again last month.

The 73-year-old said he visited St Woolos Cemetery - as he does “everyday” - last Friday morning and discovered that three lights and two angels had been taken.

“I had gone there the day before at 2.30pm and everything was fine,” said Mr James.

“I was at the grave at 7.30am on Friday and couldn’t believe that people had taken things again.

“My wife’s grave is being targeted because it’s bright and pretty.

“Pinching items from a grave is just wrong because it’s someone’s resting place.”

He added: “We as a family are devastated that it’s happened again.”

Mr James said that he has had no choice but to take away the remaining grave items.

“It’s devastating that we have to do it,” said Mr James. “But we have no choice.

“We’ve been asking people to stop doing it and they’re not listening.

“I’ve taken down the remaining four lights because they could have been taken.

“All that’s left is flowers and I hope no-one will end up digging them up.”

Mr James said that he “hopes” if anyone has information to report it to the police.

Nicky Tuvnes, who is Mr James’ daughter-in-law, said the family “is absolutely heartbroken”.

She said: “My father-in-law has spent money on replacing these items.

“These people who are stealing from my mother-in-law’s grave will have somebody they love in the cemetery one day and if this happens to them I hope they realise how it feels for my father-in-law.”

A Newport City Council spokeswoman said the council’s “extremely concerned” about the incident and offered its sympathy to the family.

She said: “Council staff remain vigilant during the day and every effort is made to keep the cemeteries secure.

“Although the cemetery gates are closed to vehicles after 5pm the public still has unrestricted access after this time and therefore the security of any items left in the cemetery cannot be guaranteed.

“That is why we always advise the public not to leave anything of sentimental or personal value on graves and we would again reiterate this message.”

Gwent Police confirmed the incident and has asked for anyone with information to call 101 quoting log number 164 21/04/2017