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'Utterly despicable' funeral firm employee stole dying priest's gold ring to fund his drug habit but WALKS FREE

Nicholas Mather, 34, prised an 18-carat gold priesthood ring from the finger of Father Peter Crowther's body while working at B Livesey Funeral Directors in Chorley, Lancashire, then sold it to a pawnbroker for cash to spend on drugs. The ring — inscribed in Latin "I am a priest for ever" and bought in Rome by Fr Crowther's parents for his 1971 ordination — was melted down and can never be recovered. Preston Magistrates' Court called it the worst theft case they had ever heard, yet handed Mather only a community order.

Fr Crowther's dying wish was to be buried wearing the ring, valued at between £3,000 and £3,500.

Mather pocketed £1,370 in total for the ring and a separately stolen Rolls-Royce key box ring — and was ordered to pay £6,500 compensation.

Next of kin Kinga Gray-Grzecynska said she felt 'deeply upset, angry and bewildered that anyone, particularly a member of staff entrusted' with the deceased, could do such a thing.

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