YOBS TURN ON OAP PRIEST

Nov 2 2006 By Amanda Graham, Lennox Herald

TEENAGE thugs launched a bottle at an elderly priest before embarking on a weekend wrecking spree at a church.

Canon James Simcox, 78, parish priest at St Martin’s Church in Renton, was targeted at the weekend.

Missiles were lobbed through the church windows, security lights were ripped from the walls of the church hall, and plant pots were tipped over.

The priest, who has been at St Martin’s for over 25 years, caught the teenagers in the act of smashing bottles across the church car park.

When he confronted them, the gang responded with a tirade of abuse and one fired a bottle at the pensioner, who suffers from osteoporosis.

He said: “On Saturday afternoon I heard crashing outside and when I went out I saw a group of teenagers throwing glass bottles across the car park.

“I said to them, ‘this isn’t funny’ and one of them threw a bottle at me. I could have been killed.

“It’s a big worry, we are so isolated here.”

The following morning, Canon Simcox discovered the damage to his church.

“Two of the windows had been smashed and the plants were knocked across the floor,” he said.

“It was in a terrible mess but one of the parishioners came in and cleared it up.

“They had also smashed the light fittings around the chapel hall.

“It’s a shame because it’s such a lovely little church.

“This church has been up since 1970 and we have never had anything like this. I’m hoping the insurance will pay for the damage.”

The priest believes the vandalism may have been an act of revenge after a drinking den discovered by parishioners in the trees at the side of the chapel was removed by council workmen.

The trouble started the next day.

Canon Simcox added: “This all started on Tuesday night.

“We have tubs with plants and flowers sitting at the top of the steps outside the church. They were all tipped out and thrown down the steps.

“I would stress that it’s a very small element who are doing this.”

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incidents at the church and have urged anyone with information to contact Dumbarton police office on 01389 822000.