Moment knife thug SLASHES inflatable Christmas tree outside home - after boyfriend spent hundreds of pounds setting up display to raise charity cash following girlfriend's cancer diagnosis
This is the bizarre moment a vandal carries out a late night knife attack - on a giant inflatable Christmas tree.
Shaun Davies, 22, was left gobsmacked when the festive display outside his home in Wrexham, Wales, was targeted by a mindless vandal last Tuesday night.
Security cameras filmed the yob, who was with two friends, marching over and putting a knife through the inflatable fir, causing it to deflate to the ground.
Mr Davies had created the dazzling winter wonderland outside his home to raise money for charity after his partner Jodie Murphy, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
He says he was left devastated when he woke the next day to find one of the decorations in a pile on the ground with a slash mark through the middle.
Caretaker Mr Davies has spent thousands of pounds over the last five years decking out the front of his home with Christmas lights, decorations and a grotto.
This is the bizarre moment a vandal carries out a late night knife attack - on a giant inflatable Christmas tree. Shaun Davies, 22, was left gobsmacked when the festive display outside his home in Wrexham, Wales, was targeted by a mindless vandal last Tuesday night
He said: 'This year I spent a few hundred pounds adding to the display as we wanted it to be bigger and better than ever for Jodie.
'But we woke up on the Wednesday morning to discover the Christmas tree had been slashed with a blade and couldn't believe it.
'Our first thought was 'what is the point in that?' Why would you go around stabbing an inflatable Christmas tree? It's just a bit odd.
'The aggression he does it with is extremely shocking as well. It's like he wanted to cause maximum damage - but it was just a blow up tree.
'We think it must have been a knife because the cut was so large and clean. The most worrying thing is that somebody is walking the streets with a knife.
'It's disappointing because it is obvious the display is for charity. We have signs up about checking yourself for cancer and there's also a donation tin.
Mr Davies was left devastated when he woke the next day to find one of the decorations in a pile on the ground with a slash mark through the middle
'The police sound keen to apprehend him as the biggest concern is that somebody is wandering around with a blade and obviously willing to use it.
'The response has been amazing though and somebody from Australia has even been in touch offering to pay for another one.
'Acton Community Council has also said they will replace it so there has been some positivity to come from all of this.
'Most people love the display and say they travel to see it every year, even in the summer people stop me in the street and ask about it.
'This year is the first time we have raised money for charity because the hospital has been amazing with Jodie.
'We're trying to raise not only money but awareness because a lot of people have said to Jodie, 'oh I never check, I always just assumed I was too young to get it'.
'Obviously, men can get it too, I think when she went for her last chemo there was actually two or three men getting chemo for breast cancer there as well.
Security cameras captured the yob, who was with two friends, marching over and putting a knife through the inflatable fir, causing it to deflate to the ground
'It was all for a good cause so we were quite angry that somebody would want to stab an inflatable Christmas tree,' he added.
The money is being raised for the Shooting Star unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital - which the family say has been 'fantastic' in its support of Jodie.
Mr Davies's mother Julie added: 'We're more annoyed at the fact it's been done when we're collecting for Shooting Stars, than anything else.
'It's very upsetting as it's a worthy cause which is one very close to our hearts.
'But it's also frightening that someone is walking around with a knife - thankfully it wasn't a person who was slashed.'
Social worker Ms Murphy was shocked to be given the news she had breast cancer in September.
She said: 'This summer I felt a lump in my breast but due to being young and healthy with no family history I never suspected anything sinister.
'Luckily my GP was fantastic and referred me to the breast clinic straight away. Within four weeks I had the shock diagnosis of breast cancer.
Mr Davies had created the dazzling winter wonderland outside his home to raise money for charity after his partner Jodie Murphy, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Above: The yobs then ran away
'As I found the lump early, thankfully it hasn't spread and my prognosis is good.
'I'm currently in the middle of chemotherapy and the Shooting Star unit has been fantastic in supporting me, Shaun and my daughter Violet.
'I've had to take some time out from the business to get better but since sharing my experience I've been astounded at the number of women and men who don't check their bodies for changes.
'So many people have contacted me since I shared my diagnosis to say it's made them go to the GP which is just fantastic.
'Cancer is sneaky and early detection is absolutely key.'
The incident has been reported to North Wales Police, which is investigating the
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