A WOMAN says she is 'losing faith in humanity' after her father’s grave was desecrated and smashed to pieces.

Emilio Colombi was buried in Rayleigh Cemetrey, Hockley Road, in 1968. The former tank driving instructor had died from cancer aged 61.

His daughter, Susan Mckerchar, says her family were horrified to find his grave had been desecrated.

The family had recently spent £400 rejuvenating the grave, replacing the stones and removing weeds, after visiting in November and finding it had begun to look worn and neglected.

The 65-year-old who lives in Sterling, Scotland, says her sister discovered the grave had since been smashed to pieces when she visited on Monday morning to see it in person for the first time since the works.

“It’s so upsetting, how would they feel if it was their father’s grave? I was so looking forward to visiting after it had been done up as well,” she said.

“You would think a graveyard is a safe place, it’s a blessed holy place, and something like that happens. It’s so disheartening you lose faith in the human race, especially to have it happen at Christmas time.

“How sad that people could be so disrespectful to such a kind loving man.”

Susan says her sister saw empty beer cans lying around the graveyard, adding the family were suspicious the grave had even been broken by anti-social louts, or thieves after the expensive stone.

She said: “My sister did say that she thought the graveyard looked a bit like it was neglected and there were beer cans lying around."

Born in Buckhurst Hill, her father had served in the British army in the Second World War as a tank instructor.

Following the war he was introduced to Susan’s mother by his sister Maggie who worked in the same kitchen as her.

Emilio’s family lived in Southend, Rayleigh and Hockley; Maggie is buried in the same graveyard, close by to Emilio, as are his brothers Pinero and Luigi.

Following his death, Susan moved to Scotland, where her mother was originally from, and has lived there ever since.