A MUM has slammed a sick thief who was caught on CCTV stealing flowers from her son's grave.
Donna Dixon, 45, labelled Leanne Slater "disgusting" when she nicked freshly placed flowers from her late teenager's plot at the cemetery.
The mum then hunted the 39-year-old criminal down, and confronted her for the twisted act.
The floral tributes had only been sitting on Donna's son Keiran's grave for half an hour when Slater swooped in.
The 14-year-old's loved ones had laid them to commemorate 10 years since his sudden death.
But because the family and friends had created such a beautiful memorial, Stockton locals knew something was off when they saw Slater walking with massive bouquets under each arm.
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She was spotted walking away from Durham Road cemetery, and shocking CCTV footage also snapped her in the act on June 7, last year.
Slater was this week found guilty after a trial at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
A warrant was issued after she failed to turn up to court.
Slater is set to be sentenced at a later date.
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Speaking after the hearing, heartbroken mum Donna said she was "absolutely gutted" by the theft.
She said: "It's appalling to even stoop that low.
"It's not nice to steal anything but from a cemetery it's just disgusting.
"It was such a kick in the teeth the flowers had only been on his garden for half an hour and it was his 10th memorial.
"He was a popular kid so everyone knew where the flowers had come from so we were just absolutely gutted. It made me sick to my stomach.
"I understand people have problems but it just leaves you speechless to think people would do that."
It was one of Keiran's friends who was first sent a photo of sick Slater carrying the flowers.
She then opened her phone to see CCTV footage, too.
Giving evidence in court, Donna said when she saw the picture she got in her car and looked for the defendant.
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The grieving mum said: "I saw her wearing the same coat and got out and confronted her.
"She just denied she had been anywhere near."
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