The former partner of a Suffolk man who took his own life has slammed 'disgusting' vandals who have daubed anti-Semitic graffiti on his grave.

Stacey Smith was in a relationship with Saxmundham man Matthew Mursell, who died on December 21, 2019 aged 52, and is buried in the town's Park End cemetery.

On Tuesday, a visitor to the cemetery discovered the cross at his grave had been scrawled with his nickname 'Musky' and 'Jew' apparently written in marker pen.

Photos of the damage have been posted to the Saxmundham community Facebook page, sparking angry reactions from posters.

Stacey said: "It is disgusting, who the hell would do anything like that?"

She said Mr Mursell loved motorbikes and boats, but had a troubled past and had experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder relating to issues from his childhood.

East Anglian Daily Times: Matthew Mursell with his partner Stacey Smith prior to his deathMatthew Mursell with his partner Stacey Smith prior to his death (Image: Stacey Smith)

However, she had no idea who could have carried out the attack, adding that Mr Mursell was not Jewish.

She added: "He was a lovely bloke, kind-hearted and good for a laugh. He was the best and was well into his motorbikes and boats. Bikes and boats were his thing."

She said prior to the incident, she was going to get him a proper headstone to replace the cross.

Mill Rise resident Susan Edwards was a neighbour of Mr Mursell and said she used to take his pet Jack Russell Pickles for walks.

She had befriended him after becoming aware that he did not have any relatives and visited him to help him with tasks.

She said: "To me, he was a good person and kind. He went through a lot during his lifetime."

Posters to the Saxmundham page have also spoken of their disgust, with one saying: "This has made me so very angry. If anyone in this town knows anything even a suspicion, tell the police immediately. They do not deserve to be protected."