'Despicable' thief steals ring from dead priest's finger

A funeral director worker has admitted stealing a gold ring from a dead priest's finger.

Nicholas Mather prised the 18-carat gold priesthood ring from the hand of the late Father Peter Crowther on 8 March in Chorley, Lancashire, magistrates heard.

Crowther's parents had bought the ring in Rome when he was ordained in 1971. His dying wish was to be buried with it.

Mather pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at Preston Magistrates Court. A relative said the 34-year-old was "utterly despicable".

The thief, who worked at B Livesey Funeral Directors in the Lancashire town, was given a community order, ordered to complete 300 hours unpaid work, and to pay a total of £6,500 compensation.

During a the sentencing on Friday the court heard Mather melted down the ring, worth between £3,000 and £3,500, and left unrecoverable. He then sold it to a pawnbrokers.

The funeral directors found Mather had also stolen a Rolls-Royce key box ring.

The court heard he was paid £1,370 cash for both stolen items and spent it on his drug habit.

Mather, of Willow Close, Chorley, was arrested on 22 April.

Magistrates said this was the worst theft case they had heard in their court given the emotional impact on those affected.

In an impact statement to the court, Crowther's next of kin Kinga Gray-Grzecynska said: "I feel deeply upset, angry and bewildered that anyone, particularly a member of staff entrusted with the care of the deceased, would steal from a dead body in a mortuary, and especially from a priest.

"This behaviour is utterly despicable, disgraceful and morally wrong.

"To steal from a Catholic priest who dedicated 55 years of his life to serving God and helping thousands of people is an appalling betrayal of the trust placed in those responsible for providing a dignified and respectful funeral."

Det Con Paul Whitaker said: "Not only did he steal a ring from the body of a priest, but he denied Fr Peter his dying wish.

"Detective Constable Paul Whitaker of Lancashire Constabulary said: "Not only did he steal a ring from the body of a priest, but he denied Fr Peter his dying wish.

"Mather breached the trust of those who turned to them whilst they were grieving."

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