FLORAL tributes to a much-loved sailor who drowned off Prestatyn’s Barkby Beach more than 13 years ago have been cruelly stolen 20 times since January.

Edward Charles Lewis, known as Eddie, died December 13 2007 trying to retrieve his drifting boat. The vessel was a C-Craft Inshore rescue boat.

Since the tragic accident, Johanne Griffiths and her family have regularly laid flowers on the slipway in memory of Eddie; Silk flowers are replenished every 12 weeks and the family lay fresh flowers on Christmas day.

Now a sick thief is stealing the blooms and daffodils, placed by Johanne’s mum Pauline Lewis-Price, had their heads ripped off.

Eddie with his wife Pauline

Eddie with his wife Pauline

Johanne said: “It is my dad’s birthday this month.

“Nothing like this has happened liked this before, not in the 13 years since my dad passed away.

“There is a gentleman who got in touch with us last Thursday night who put lilies out. We were down on the beach at about 5.30pm. The next day, at 11am, they had been taken and they were fresh lilies.

"I have been going down to the beach three times a day keeping an eye out on my dad's flowers. On one occasion, all four bunches of flowers [Johanne's, her mum's and those laid by her sisters] were taken.

The family often lay silk flowers in memory of their father

The family often lay silk flowers in memory of their father

“It is not just affecting me but my whole family.

“I have done what I can. I have been in touch with the council and they have promised me it is not one of their staff and the staff have been asked to keep an eye out

“I am at my wits end. I just sat there and cried. I cried on the beach and thought why? It is like someone has got a vendetta against my dad having flowers down there.

“Not seeing the flowers just brings an awful pain to my chest.”

Johanne, who has a partner, explained the flowers have been stolen so often as each time they are taken, there is a need to replace them.

“I think it must be kids. They just aren’t thinking what they are doing,” Johanne added.

“My dad died on the beach. I had to go through the scenario and it was horrific. I can’t even go to his grave.

Daffodils had their heads ripped off and were thrown on the beach

Daffodils had their heads ripped off and were thrown on the beach

“I go down the beach and that is what I do, every day. I have been going three times a day because when I see the flowers I smile. It is comfort.”

Johanne said she and her family have received support of the Facebook group Prestatyn Connect.

“There has been a lot of support on there,” she said.

“People are going to be keeping an eye out.

“I don’t want my dad being forgotten - he was a good man.

“I fear they are just throwing them [the flowers] away. They might just be dumping them somewhere.”

Eddie was 66 when he died.

Eddie with his daughters

Eddie with his daughters

At the time of the incident, two men waded out to help Mr Lewis but despite hauling him ashore, medics on the beach were unable to revive him.

“I love to drive on the car park and see the bright flowers in memory of my dad,” Johanne said.

“It makes me smile. I go down on the beach often to be near my dad and talk to him, but at the moment it is heartbreaking.

“We’ve had permission to put them on the slip.

“About 20 times the flowers have been stolen now.

Silk bloom left in memory of Eddie on the beach

Silk bloom left in memory of Eddie on the beach

“I would like to say to the person or person responsible, please stop and think about your actions and what you are doing to me and my family.

“We are devastated someone can be so cruel.

“The flowers never look untidy.

“I don’t know what else I can do beside sitting in my car watching.”

Prestatyn Sailing Club, where Eddie was a highly respected member and known as Mr Fixit, have tried to keep an eye out for Johanne and are making efforts to check cctv.