THE REMAINS of a boxer who died in a freak accident in Ireland have been exhumed after his grave was desecrated twice in a week.
The grave of William ‘Billy’ Isaac was targeted at Blackley Cemetery in Manchester in what police described as a ‘despicable act’.
While they say the motive is unclear, Mr Isaac’s family have stressed that he was not buried with any valuables.
Accident
Mr Isaac, who had relocated to Ireland, died in 2013 after falling while trying to climb through a downstairs window at his Cork home after locking himself out.
After jamming his neck between a wall and a bath, he died as a result of severe neck trauma and asphyxia.
Greater Manchester Police said Mr Isaac’s plot was damaged on June 27 and July 4 and believe the incidents were linked.
'Anguish and grief'
Detective Inspector Claire Moss, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “Police enquiries are ongoing, but we believe that this incident was targeted to this specific plot.
“This is a despicable act, and it has caused the family an enormous amount of anguish and grief in finding out that their loved one’s grave has twice been disturbed in what is meant to be a place of rest.
“The motivation for this incident is unclear at this stage of the investigation, but the family want to make it known that their loved one was not buried with any items of monetary value.
“We will do everything we can to find out who is responsible for this, and I would appeal to any members of the public who know anything to please get in touch with police.”
Convictions
Mr Isaac, who had a reputation as an underworld hard man, had convictions for serious assaults and possession of live ammunition and was acquitted of the murder of a woman in Stockport in 1995.
However after giving up his own boxing career due to a back problem, he volunteered at a gym in Manchester, helping young boxers.
Mr Isaac’s friend, former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton, provided a character reference for him in 2010 as Isaac was acquitted of blackmail charges.
