Pensioner attacked as he knelt in prayer

Jun 6 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal

A ROBBER viciously attacked a frail pensioner and stole his wallet while he was kneeling in prayer in church.

The 71-year-old victim, named locally as Terry Finlay, was savagely beaten around the head with a plank of wood and had his money stolen.

Devout Catholic Mr Finlay was deep in prayer in St Bede’s Roman Catholic Church in Sacriston, County Durham, when he was set upon, at around 8.30am, on Thursday.

His attacker, believed to be around 40-years-old, approached Mr Finlay from behind as he knelt to worship.

The robber demanded money and stole a purse and a wallet which contained around £140. He then made off, leaving through a side door in the church.

Mr Finlay suffered bruising and swelling to his head but, fortunately, was not seriously hurt. Yesterday evening, the pensioner was back at church, but was still too shaken to speak to The Journal.

Father Jim Cronin, the priest at the church, on Front Street, was horrified by the brutal robbery. “This is a terrible attack,” he said. “I have been in the church for 50 years, and I have never heard of anything like this.

“It is shocking to think someone would do this, especially in a church.”