Mum 'violated' by vandal trashing son's memorial

The mother of a boy who died in a car crash says she was "hurt to the bone" after a vandal twice filmed himself destroying a tribute to her son while verbally abusing him.

Mason Renhard, 17, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, died after the car he was travelling in hit a tree in Corhampton on 13 July 2025. The 16-year-old driver also died.

Ryan Edwards, who was 17 at the time, filmed himself swearing at Mason while kicking and pulling down a tribute that Mason's family had put up the roadside. He then sent the footage to Mason's best friend.

Mason's mother Dee said she felt devastated: "I felt completely violated. I don't think I can put into words how disgusting it was.

"It rocked all of us, and made us feel really upset that someone could even think about doing that. Not just once but twice."

One of the videos shows Edwards, who is now 18, kicking away the flowers left at the bottom of the memorial and tearing down cards and bouquets that had been hung from a tree.

In the same clip he speaks directly to the camera and swears at Mason before saying: "You tried to steal my girl back in 2023.

"That's the thing, bro. And now you're dead and this is what happens to you."

Edwards pleaded guilty to criminal damage and an investigation into the crash is ongoing.

In the second video, taken a few days later, he is joined by another man who hasn't been identified.

They kick the flowers and cards away from the tree and use a stick to knock down the high ones.

When they finished one of the men stands with his arms raised in celebration.

Edwards sent the video clips to Mason's best friend who showed them to Mason's family.

Dee says the family were in the early stages of grief over Mason's death when they had to deal with what had happened: "We were taking baby steps just to get through the days and I just felt utter disbelief that someone could do this.

"It literally hurt to the bone. I can't describe how hideous it was to hear that vile language aimed at Mason."

Mason's family have now made a bench for him in his local park in Otterbourne.

"He would have turned 18 in June," Dee says.

"That was one milestone he was really excited for but another one he won't achieve. He was learning to become a mechanic and was really passionate about it.

"He lived life to the full, he was incredible, a real free spirit. And now this amazing person has gone."

Edwards is due to be sentenced at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Monday.