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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Vicar stabbed to death at church | Vicar stabbed to death at church |
| (30 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. |
| Father Paul John Bennett, 59, died at St Fagans Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. | Father Paul John Bennett, 59, died at St Fagans Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. |
| In what police called an horrific incident, Mr Bennett, a married father-of-three, was found after officers were called at about 1450 GMT. | In what police called an horrific incident, Mr Bennett, a married father-of-three, was found after officers were called at about 1450 GMT. |
| A 23-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at a police station. | A 23-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at a police station. |
| 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. |
| Everyone who knew him loved him Christopher Smith, Church in Wales | |
| Police were standing guard at the gates of the church, in Windsor Street. | 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. | 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 priest and much loved," he said. | |
| "Everyone will be shocked. He has been here since 2002, and was very much loved. | "Everyone will be shocked. He has been here since 2002, and was very much loved. |
| "It is a tragedy." | "It is a tragedy." |
| 'Shock and alarm' | |
| Mr Smith said he was a colleague and friend and had known him throughout his ministry. | Mr Smith said he was a colleague and friend and had known him throughout his ministry. |
| "Everyone who knew him loved him," he said. | "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. | 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. | 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 the people of Aberdare. | |
| "I would like to reassure the community that we have arrested a man and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this stage." | |
| He said there woud be "a high-profile police presence in the area over the next few days both to provide reassurance and support to the community of Aberdare and to assist the enquiry team by speaking to members of the public who may have information." | |
| He added: "Our thoughts are with the family of Father Bennett at this time and I urge anyone with information to come forward." | |
| Mr Bennett's wife and children are with family liaison officers who are supporting them. | |
| Anyone with information can contact the incident room at Mountain Ash police station on 01443 743678 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. | |