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Parents of slain boy Daniel Morcombe outraged after man captured defacing charity posters

Blake AntrobusNCA NewsWire
Both posters are destined for the dump after being vandalised.
Camera IconBoth posters are destined for the dump after being vandalised. Credit: Supplied

The parents of murdered Queensland boy Daniel Morcombe have been left “devastated” after a man was captured on CCTV defacing an image of their son outside a school.

The man sprayed the two banners owned by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation with paint as they hung outside the Woombye Primary School on the Sunshine Coast.

Posters promoting the upcoming Walk for Daniel were defaced with paint.
Camera IconThe parents of Daniel Morcombe have been left outraged after posters promoting the upcoming Walk for Daniel event were defaced with paint. Credit: Supplied

The signs were promoting the forthcoming Walk for Daniel event on October 29, a community walk from Suncoast Christian College in Woombye to Briggs Park in Palmwoods to promote child safety.

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The 4km walk represents the journey Daniel was attempting when he was abducted and murdered in December 2003.

Daniel’s disappearance shocked the nation but it was not until 2011 when his remains were found and his killer, Brett Peter Cowan, was arrested.

Posters promoting the upcoming Walk for Daniel were defaced with paint.
Camera IconBoth posters are destined for the dump after being vandalised. Credit: Supplied

In the footage of the vandalism captured from a nearby petrol station, the man is seen spraying paint vigorously into Daniel’s eyes on the seven metre banner.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe, Daniel’s parents and founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, said they were mortified by the “deliberate” act of vandalism.

“The disgraceful actions of this person is a disrespectful attack on our murdered son,” Mr Morcombe said.

“This is more sinister than random vandalism. This was a targeted attack on Daniel.”

Bruce and Denise Morcombe, the parents of Daniel Morcombe.
Camera IconBruce and Denise Morcombe, the parents of Daniel Morcombe. Credit: News Regional Media

Both banners, which cost around $1000, now have to be dumped.

“He should be ashamed of himself - I was upset when I saw the intentional defacing of Daniel’s photo,” Ms Morcombe said.

A Queensland Police spokesman said investigations into the matter were progressing.

DANIEL MORCOMBE FAMILY PHOTO
Camera IconDaniel Morcombe was murdered in 2003 while waiting for a bus on the Sunshine Coast. Credit: News Corp Australia

Cowan is currently serving a life sentence for Daniel’s murder.

He eventually confessed to luring the 13-year-old into his car before killing him and hiding his body at a macadamia farm.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe established the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in 2005, dedicating their lives to teach schools and communities about child safety and support the families of missing persons.

Originally published as Parents of slain boy Daniel Morcombe outraged after man captured defacing charity posters

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