Thief steals bench to fatal crash victim

POLICE are probing the theft of a bench which erected in memory of a Ross-shire teenager who died in a car crash.

The commemorative bench to 19-year-old student nurse Debbie Garrow was taken from a grassed area on the Shore Road between Alness and Invergordon overnight on Saturday/Sunday.

Miss Garrow lost her life after the car in which she was a passenger crashed on the notorious B817 road between the two Easter Ross towns in June 2005.

The vehicle, being driven by Miss Garrow’s 19-year-old friend who had recently passed her driving test, clipped the kerb and careered off the road, throwing Miss Garrow from the car.

Police say the wooden bench has a high curved back and is dark red mahogany in colour. A brass plaque on the bench is inscribed with the words "In loving memory of Debbie Garrow who passed away 19th June 2005. Donated by those who care."

Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or has any information regarding the theft is asked to contact Alness police on (01349) 882222 or Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.