Vicar Overpowers Vandal In Church

Chronicle (Levin), 14 December 1949, Page 6

Vicar Overpowers Vandal In Church

AUCKLAND, Dec. 13. Damage estimated at about £400, 'was done in the Church of the Holy S.epul chre, Kyber Pass, yesterday afternoon, by a man who was overpowered by the vicar and handed to the police. This was allegedly his third attack on the (Ihufdh in six months. ; • The man who, it is understood, was 'a patient- in a mental hospital vabout 12 years ago, was charged in the Police Court today w.ith eausing the damage. The principal damage to three stained glass windows whi'ch cost about- £350, was dohe by thrbwing brieics/ Xf the windows can be. repaired it is estimated the ' total cost will be about £150. It is alleged that in his attack the man also br'oke into pieces, oak stands five feei high, ripped to pieces Altar hangings, twisted and broke a jewelled brass eross from the altar, bent a large brass alms dish and threw about the furniture and fittings in the Sanctuary. Stones were thrown through a church window in June and October last and through vicara^e windows last month. Repair bills -total £15. A workman in the vicinity yesterday advised the vicar, the Rev. Frank 1. Parsons, that a man was breaking the church windows. He went for the police while the vicar entered the church. Though the man was not violent at first, a struggle developed and in this thevicar, who is six feet high and weighs 14 stone, finally overpowered him. "Had it been anybody weaker who tried to detain him he would have got away," the Rev. Parsohs said today. The man, who is very strong, was heid by the vicar until the police arrived. In the Police Court today he was remanded in custody for a weelt for examination.