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Vicar stabbed to death at church Vicar stabbed to death at church
(10 minutes later)
A vicar has been stabbed to death in the grounds of his church in a south Wales valleys village.A vicar has been stabbed to death in the grounds of his church in a south Wales valleys village.
The Reverend Paul Bennett died in Trecynon, near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. Father Paul John Bennett, 59, died at St Fagans Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The Reverend Steve Morgan, from nearby Merthyr Tydfil, said the Church in Wales could confirm that Mr Bennett had died on Wednesday. In what police called an horrific incident, Mr Bennett, a married father-of-three, was found after officers were called at about 1450 GMT.
Mr Bennett, who was born in 1947, was married to Georgina and he had two children. A 23-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at a police station.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said it was called to the incident, and the vicar had received fatal injuries. The entire church grounds in the middle of the village, a couple of miles from Aberdare, were sealed off.
The entire church grounds in the middle of the village, a couple of miles from Aberdare, were sealed off. Police were standing guard at the church gates. Police were standing guard at the gates of the church, in Windsor Street.
Shocked local residents were standing outside their houses close to the scene as scenes of crime officers were at work at the church.Shocked local residents were standing outside their houses close to the scene as scenes of crime officers were at work at the church.
Church in Wales spokesman Christopher Smith said his thoughts and prayers with Mr Bennett's family, his wife Georgina and his three children.
"He was a devoted family man, an excellent parish prient and much loved," he said.
"Everyone will be shocked. He has been here since 2002, and was very much loved.
"It is a tragedy."
Mr Smith said he was a colleague and friend and had known him throughout his ministry.
"Everyone who knew him loved him," he said.
Det Sup Paul Kemp, who is leading the investigation appealed to anyone in the area of the vicarage between 1400 - 1500 GMT to contact police.
An incident room has been set up at Mountain Ash and anyone with any information is urged to get in touch.
Divisional commander Chief Supt Jeff Farrar said: "This is a horrific incident that will undoubtedly shock and alarm thepeople of Aberdare.
"I would like to reassure the community that we havearrested a man and are not looking for anyone else in connection with theincident at this stage."
He said there woud be "a high-profile police presence in the area over the next fewdays both to provide reassurance and support to the community of Aberdareand to assist the enquiry team by speaking to members of the public who mayhave information."
He added: "Our thoughts are with the family of Father Bennett at thistime and I urge anyone with information to come forward."
Mr Bennett's wife and children are with family liaisonofficers who are supporting them.
Police have arrested a 23-year-old local man on suspicion of murder. He iscurrently being questioned at a police station in the South Wales area.
Anyone with information can contact the incident room at Mountain Ash police station on 01443 743678 or Crimestopperson 0800 555111.