Pensioner attacked as he knelt in prayer
Jun 6 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal
Father Cronin added that Mr Finlay, who lives in a nearby retirement home, was a regular worshipper and often came to church in the morning to enjoy quiet prayer.
“He worships here every day,” Father Cronin explained. “He comes early, before mass, and is usually left in peace to pray on his own. Terry came to me after the attack, I was in the priest house next door. He was holding the piece of wood – it was almost like a chair leg.
“He said he had been attacked – I almost couldn’t believe it had really happened.” The priest added: “A lot of families use the church car park to drop their children off for school in the morning. Someone must have seen something.”
The robber is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. He had fair hair which was thin and of medium length, he was also unshaven.
Mr Finlay reported that his attacker spoke with a North East accent, and said he has seen the man before in the Sacriston area, at times frequenting the St Bede’s RC church.
It is also thought he may have been sleeping rough in a boiler room between the petrol filling station and The Fells residential unit on the A167 at Plawsworth.
Det Sgt Amanda Henderson, of Durham Police, said: “This was a vicious attack on a vulnerable man who was attending church to worship.” Anyone with information should contact Chester-le-Street CID on 0345 606-0365.
