Christmas light display in Great Finborough, near Stowmarket, damaged and reported to Suffolk Police

A man trying to spread Christmas joy has been left ‘absolutely gutted’ after his festive light display was vandalised.

Luke McGann, 35, of Great Finborough, near Stowmarket, noticed the lights had gone out at 9.10pm - initially putting it down to the windy conditions.

When he went to the front of his bungalow to see what happened he saw that wires to his lights by his front door had been cut and a snow globe projector was missing.

The retail worker, who has been putting up a festive display in High Road for more than 15 years, said: “I felt absolutely gutted.

"I couldn’t believe someone had the audacity to ruin the fun of Christmas.”

Luke, who lives with his mum, said the whole experience has been unsettling for them both and is worried about the vandals coming back.

“It is a lovely village and not something you would expect to happen here.”

Asked what he would say to those responsible for the damage, Luke said: “Why would you think it is acceptable to do that?”

“What makes you think you’ve got the right to damage people’s property if they are not doing any harm?

“It’s Christmas for goodness sake, we were just trying to spread joy.”

Luke, who was born in Great Finborough, spent about £100 on this year’s display but said his anger isn’t about the money he has lost.

He said: “We put pride and care into it and it is all gone in two seconds flat.

“It could have been enjoyed by so many more people”.

Luke, who spent more than three hours putting up the display, and his mum have decided they will keep their lights indoors, as they are worried it might happen again.

The incident, which Luke thinks was between 8pm to 9.10pm, has been reported to the police.

A police spokesman said the criminal damage and theft was reported to them last night, confirming a cable to lighting was cut.

Anyone with information should contact the police using the reference: 37/69072/24.

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