Ex-council leader's sons' graves 'raided for metal'

A former county council leader has been left "shattered" after vandals desecrated graves of her loved ones, including her two sons, which she said was for the "sake of scrap metal".

Norfolk Police is investigating the incident that saw thieves damage headstones of Kay Mason Billig's family members at St Botolph's Church in Shingham, west Norfolk.

The crime took place during the early hours of Friday and Mason Billig, who was leader of Norfolk County Council until the recent elections, has urged anyone with information to come forward.

She said: "I cannot comprehend how anyone could inflict that kind of hurt on another family."

The site marks the final resting place of her sons Arthur Mason and Harold Mason, who died at the ages of 21 and 23 respectively.

The Conservative councillor said: "The people who did this would have known they were standing at the graves of two young men.

"They had every opportunity to stop and walk away, but they chose to continue.

"No parent should ever have to visit the grave of their child, but over the years I found some comfort in knowing that Arthur and Harold were resting in a peaceful and beautiful place. That peace has now been shattered."

The vandals targeted the memorials for Arthur, who died in 2014 after a farming accident, for Harold, who was killed in a crash in 2018, and for Mason Billig's late father-in-law Maurice Mason and his wife, Margaret.

Norfolk Police said the roof of the church was also damaged, with several copper panels being taken.

Mason Billig, who served as Conservative leader of the council from May 2023 to May 2026 and continues to serve as councillor today, said she had previously chosen to keep her personal tragedies private.

However, she has now come forward in the hope the perpetrators can be found.

"Most people know me through public life, but very few know the personal tragedies my family has endured," she said.

"If the people who carried out this crime are reading this, I ask them to think about what they have actually done.

"You did not simply steal metal.

"You violated the resting place of two young men, destroyed memorials created with love, attacked a church that my family has spent generations preserving, and caused immense pain to people who have already suffered unimaginable loss."

Norfolk Police said the gravestone damage and metal thefts occurred at about 02:00 BST on Friday, 31 July.

"Officers investigating the incident are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information and hasn't already spoken to us," said a spokesperson.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously, the force added.

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