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Vicar on the run may be in Europe, police say Vicar on the run may be in Europe, police say
(34 minutes later)
A vicar who went on the run while on trial for pocketing thousands of pounds of church cash may have fled to Europe, police have said.A vicar who went on the run while on trial for pocketing thousands of pounds of church cash may have fled to Europe, police have said.
South Yorkshire police said they are working with forces in England and overseas to find Simon Reynolds, who failed to return to court on Thursday to hear a jury find him guilty of four counts of theft. South Yorkshire police said on Friday they are working with forces in England and overseas to find Simon Reynolds, who failed to return to court on Thursday to hear a jury find him guilty of four counts of theft.
Reynolds, 50, was convicted of keeping about £24,000 of fees for weddings, funerals and graveyard memorials when he was priest-in-charge of All Saints church in Darton, near Barnsley.Reynolds, 50, was convicted of keeping about £24,000 of fees for weddings, funerals and graveyard memorials when he was priest-in-charge of All Saints church in Darton, near Barnsley.
The Church of England vicar left Sheffield crown court at lunchtime on Thursday and did not return. On Friday, the bishop of Wakefield urged Reynolds to return home. Tony Robinson said: “Simon, we would like to assure you that you are in our prayers and all our thoughts at this difficult time. We are very concerned for your wellbeing and urge you to be in touch and allow justice to take its course. Never forget we are praying for you.” The Church of England vicar left Sheffield crown court at lunchtime on Thursday and did not return. On Friday, the bishop of Wakefield urged Reynolds to return home. The Right Rev Tony Robinson said: “Simon, we would like to assure you that you are in our prayers and all our thoughts at this difficult time. We are very concerned for your wellbeing and urge you to be in touch and allow justice to take its course. Never forget we are praying for you.”
A police spokeswoman said Reynolds may have travelled to mainland Europe and inquiries are ongoing with Interpol. DCI Steve Whittaker said: “Simon, your friends and colleagues are very worried about you and we need you to get in touch with police. It is in your best interests to return as soon as possible and allow the justice process to take its course.”A police spokeswoman said Reynolds may have travelled to mainland Europe and inquiries are ongoing with Interpol. DCI Steve Whittaker said: “Simon, your friends and colleagues are very worried about you and we need you to get in touch with police. It is in your best interests to return as soon as possible and allow the justice process to take its course.”
Related: Vicar convicted of stealing church funds goes on runRelated: Vicar convicted of stealing church funds goes on run
Reynolds, of Farnham, Surrey, went on trial last week accused of keeping fees he should have handed over to the diocese and the parochial church council.Reynolds, of Farnham, Surrey, went on trial last week accused of keeping fees he should have handed over to the diocese and the parochial church council.
Prosecutor Tom Storey told the court that Reynolds had only passed on a fraction of what he should have between March 2007 and March 2013. The offences were described as a “significant breach of trust”.Prosecutor Tom Storey told the court that Reynolds had only passed on a fraction of what he should have between March 2007 and March 2013. The offences were described as a “significant breach of trust”.
The court heard that suspicions about Reynolds began after he left Darton in March 2013 to take up a new post in Surrey. A church warden thought it was “irregular” that a fees cheque was made out personally to the former vicar.The court heard that suspicions about Reynolds began after he left Darton in March 2013 to take up a new post in Surrey. A church warden thought it was “irregular” that a fees cheque was made out personally to the former vicar.
It was discovered that Reynolds had not paid any fees for weddings or funerals to the Wakefield diocesan board of finance for a number of years, despite conducting a number of services during this time. Monuments for 23 burials and 50 cremation plaques or inscriptions were found in the church grounds and graveyard but no records of the burials or cremations had been made, the court heard.It was discovered that Reynolds had not paid any fees for weddings or funerals to the Wakefield diocesan board of finance for a number of years, despite conducting a number of services during this time. Monuments for 23 burials and 50 cremation plaques or inscriptions were found in the church grounds and graveyard but no records of the burials or cremations had been made, the court heard.
The church treasurer, Anthony Warden, estimated that £14,600 should have been handed over in respect of weddings and funerals and a further £9,726 should have been paid for burial and cremation plaques or monuments. Reynolds denied the charges and told police he had not taken the money.The church treasurer, Anthony Warden, estimated that £14,600 should have been handed over in respect of weddings and funerals and a further £9,726 should have been paid for burial and cremation plaques or monuments. Reynolds denied the charges and told police he had not taken the money.
Storey told the court the vicar could not explain where the missing money had gone but said he was very disorganised and had not kept it intentionally.Storey told the court the vicar could not explain where the missing money had gone but said he was very disorganised and had not kept it intentionally.
The Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales and the Diocese of Guildford released a joint statement asking Reynolds to get in touch. Peter Townley, the archdeacon of Pontefract, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this crime. We deeply regret any further pain caused to those families who paid fees to Simon for funerals and our hope is that this conviction now affords some peace.The Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales and the Diocese of Guildford released a joint statement asking Reynolds to get in touch. Peter Townley, the archdeacon of Pontefract, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this crime. We deeply regret any further pain caused to those families who paid fees to Simon for funerals and our hope is that this conviction now affords some peace.
“The consequences of Simon’s actions have been felt far and wide, not least by parishioners here in Darton but also in Farnham, Surrey, to where he moved in March 2013.”“The consequences of Simon’s actions have been felt far and wide, not least by parishioners here in Darton but also in Farnham, Surrey, to where he moved in March 2013.”
Reynolds is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall and of heavy build. He wears glasses and was last seen wearing a beige linen jacket and dark trousers.Reynolds is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall and of heavy build. He wears glasses and was last seen wearing a beige linen jacket and dark trousers.
South Yorkshire police are asking anyone who may have seen Reynolds or knows where he is to contact 101 quoting incident number 864 of 23 July 2015.South Yorkshire police are asking anyone who may have seen Reynolds or knows where he is to contact 101 quoting incident number 864 of 23 July 2015.