Despicable and contemptible behaviour

IN a world where injustice and atrocity make daily headlines, it's almost impossible to be genuinely shocked by anything in the news.

However, two incidents highlighted in this week's Mercury reveal cowardly, mean-spirited actions that will surely lead to raised eyebrows - and widespread condemnation.

On page seven this week, we reveal how conmen fleeced more than �26,000 from a vulnerable 76-year-old man.

The pensioner - who devotes his time to looking after his poorly wife - was swindled out of his life savings by foreign fraudsters, who told him he'd won a continental lottery.

They said he would receive his winnings if he sent them some cash to handle administrative costs. He sent the money - he never heard back.

Not the most sophisticated scam. Indeed, some people would have seen through it.

Yet the conmen must have known as much - meaning they embarked on their swindle hoping to ensnare one of society's more vulnerable and trusting members.

The end result is that an elderly couple are left ruined, and an elderly man's confidence and self-esteem are shattered as he comes to terms with what has happened.

And on page 11 today, we report a mother's anger after thieves swiped a floral tribute left on the grave of her baby daughter.

Stealing from the grave of a one-day-old infant is surely as low and despicable as it gets?

That these two incidents occurred in Weston should be of shame and concern to us all.

We should be looking out for society's weakest members, not looking to take advantage of them for our own benefit.

Let's hope those responsible can be identified and held to account for their contemptible behaviour.