Baby Jesus statue stolen from Staffordshire pub

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-25421050

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A life-size statue of the baby Jesus has been stolen from a nativity scene on the roof of a pub in Staffordshire.

The crib had been loaned to the Gatehouse in Clayton in Newcastle-under-Lyme from the nearby Our Lady and St Werburgh's Church.

Staffordshire Police said they believed thieves had taken the 15in (38cms) figure of Jesus and a 2ft (60cms) high statue of a shepherd on Saturday night.

Father Anton Madej said: "I'm shocked and so very sad this has happened."

The church holds an annual carol service at the pub and it was the sixth year in a row that the crib had been mounted on the roof, Father Madej said.

He said: "Jesus was born in the manger at the inn, the equivalent of a pub today, so it was good that we could work together to do this as a goodwill gesture for the community.

"It's just a shame it has been ruined by a small minority."

Father Anton said no damage had been done to the other figures.

No-one from the pub was available for comment.