Stephen, who raised millions for the Teenage Cancer Trust, died in May after losing his battle with the disease.
Tonight a friend of the family, Joanne Jarvis – who organised the tree with the fund raising ribbon decorations – told of her heartbreak.
“I am absolutely gutted,” Joanne – who’d raised £1500 for Stephen’s cause by selling the ribbons to be put on the tree – told the Mirror. “I have been in tears, how can anyone be so disrespectful.
“We had hoped it was the wind but we now know for certain they were pulled off deliberately. I am just disgusted.
“I had asked for a low fence but now the council are considering a higher fence after this weekend.”
Hundreds of yellow ribbons had been put on the tree, in Burntwood, Staffordshire, and the lights were turned on by Stephen’s mother, Jane, who earlier this month collected son's posthumous MBE from the Queen last month.
READ: STEPHEN SUTTON'S CHARITY SONG RAISING MONEY IN THE CHARTS
Now the tree stands in tatters, with the ribbons and branches ripped off and the lights smashed on the ground.
Residents of the town are now hoping the heartless yobs who committed the act will be caught and punished.
Staffordshire police confirmed to the newspaper they are investigating the incident.
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