Chorley man sentenced for stealing sentimental ring from deceased priest
Nicholas Mather betrayed the trust placed in him while working at a funeral directors
Nicholas Mather, a 34-year-old from Willow Close, Chorley, has been sentenced after stealing a sentimental ring from the body of a deceased priest.
Mather, who worked at B Livesey Funeral Directors, took an 18-carat gold priesthood ring from Fr Peter Crowther, who had wished to be buried with it.
The ring was purchased by Fr Peter's parents in Rome for his ordination in 1971 and was inscribed with "TU ES SACERDOS IN AETERNUM - I AM A PRIEST FOR EVER.”
Four days after handing in his notice, Mather stole the ring and sold it to a pawnbroker, where it was melted down and became unrecoverable.
He also stole a Rolls Royce key box ring from his workplace, receiving £1,370 for both items, which he spent on his drug habit.
On April 22nd, Mather was arrested after B Livesey Funeral Directors reported the ring theft.
Initially denying the thefts, he later admitted his responsibilities and pleaded guilty at Preston Magistrates Court on September 19th to charges of theft from the person of another and theft by employee.
At his hearing on October 16th, Mather was given a high-level community order, ordered to complete 300 hours unpaid work, and pay £6,500 in compensation.
Magistrates described the case as the worst theft they had heard in their Court, considering the emotional impact on those affected.
In a statement to the court, Fr Peter's next of kin, Kinga Gray-Grzecynska, expressed her deep upset and anger, calling the act despicable and morally wrong.
Michael Livesey, director of the funeral directors, shared his profound concern over the incident's impact on his company.
Det Con Paul Whitaker from the South Division CID emphasised the breach of trust Mather's actions represented, hoping the sentence offers closure to those who knew Fr Peter.