Bill Cohu, Junior Constable of the Vale, told Express that it was not yet clear whether the tree could be saved.

The damage to the tree was reported to the Police along with the destruction of a nearby picnic bench which was donated for the use of parishioners.

Deputy Jones' son, Nathan, said: "The family are very disappointed. Any vandalism is abhorrent in any community and is upsetting to see for everyone."

Pictured: Vale Junior Constable Bill Cohu said the picnic table was a gift to the parish. A replacement has been ordered.

Mr Cohu believes the tree and picnic bench were damaged by youths recently seen "mucking about" in the area.

"They like going there to sit and be with their mates and that's fine. It's a nice place to go. It's nice for them to go somewhere and be with their mates and away from mum and dad. But they shouldn't be breaking things," said Mr Cohu.

"We've had complaints before about them throwing things around and chucking things over the wall. But they've not damaged anything before. We don't know it's them but we've seen them there. They were on pushbikes. 

"They've been seen throwing things over the wall and into the road - mucking about. But they shouldn't be damaging things. That's not right."

Mr Cohu said the picnic bench was donated to the parish and that the field is often used by residents of La Nouvelle Maraitaine. He said a hand rail was installed to help people with mobility challenges to get into the field and it has become a popular place to go and sit for a while.

"It's nice to sit there with a flask and have a drink," said Mr Cohu.

"It's easier to do that with a picnic table than a bench, so lots of them used it. And we didn't mind anyone using it. I had a few complaints about there being swearing, but that's not damage. They shouldn't have caused any damage."

The picnic bench will be replaced by the Douzaine as it can't be repaired. Mr Cohu said the replacement furniture will be hard plastic made from recycled material, which will be harder to break.

Pictured: The tree had five years of growth behind it, having been planted soon after the death of Deputy Dave Jones.

Mr Cohu said that Deputy Jones was "a staunch supporter of the Vale" and a popular parish deputy. 

Deputy Jones was first elected to the States in 2000. He led the former Housing Department for 12 years between 2004 and 2016. During that time, he was instrumental in the redevelopment of the former Maison Maraitaine into La Nouvelle Maraitaine, an extra care home, opposite the Douzaine. Shortly before his death, he had taken over as the first President of the States' Trading Supervisory Board.  

Douzeniers were told the news about the damage to the tree and the picnic table at their monthly meeting this week. Mr Cohu said they were "understandably angered".

"There wasn't a plaque to say it was a memorial tree. But that doesn't matter. It was a lovely tree, and you just don't break trees, do you," said Mr Cohu.

"There are some other saplings which haven't been damaged, but we don't think this tree was damaged on purpose. But it doesn't matter. Trees aren't there to be broken."

Mr Cohu said he had taken steps to contact Bonnie Jones, Deputy Jones' wife, so that she and their children would know about the damage before the news was made public.

Pictured top: Deputy Dave Jones died in 2016. The tree planted in his memory by the Vale parish has been damaged, allegedly by vandals. Pictures were taken by Bill Cohu.