Plaque removed from Eazy-E memorial bench

(L-R) Rappers MC Ren, DJ Yella, Eazy-E and Dr Dre were in the rap group NWA

A bench in East Sussex that honours the life of rapper Eazy-E appears to have been vandalised.

Guy Stevens, from Newhaven, first joked in 2019 that he wanted a memorial bench for the American rapper in the town, despite the two having no connection.

Eazy-E, real name Eric Wright - who died in 1995 - was the founding member of Californian rap group NWA and is often referred to as the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap".

Mr Stevens was delighted to raise enough money to fund the bench in 2019, but its memorial plaque appears to have been ripped off.

The bench was a popular tourist destination on Denton Island in the harbour town.

“It’s been a good luck charm for the town. I’ve had messages from people on Facebook saying they came down from Scotland [to see it],” Mr Stevens told the BBC.

The plaque, left, has been taken from the bench, right

Referring to those who allegedly vandalised it, he said there were "some very pathetic people in the world".

"My fundraising days are done so there won’t be a replacement, but I’ll be speaking to the council,” he added.

Mr Stevens joked that as Eazy-E was from America's West Coast, it could have been a rival from the East Coast that removed the plaque.

However, this would mean the culprit travelled 5,484 miles (8,825 km) each way to vandalise the bench.

Mr Stevens raised £1,600 ($2,024) to fund the £1,177 ($1,489) bench in 2019. He donated the rest to HIV charities in Brighton.

Sussex Police said they were not aware of the vandalism incident.