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Thieving on-the-run Barnsley vicar Simon Reynolds jailed Thieving on-the-run Barnsley vicar Simon Reynolds jailed
(about 2 hours later)
A vicar who went on the run after being convicted of pocketing more than £16,500 of church fees has been jailed for almost three years.A vicar who went on the run after being convicted of pocketing more than £16,500 of church fees has been jailed for almost three years.
Simon Reynolds, from Farnham in Surrey, did not return to Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday and a manhunt was launched.Simon Reynolds, from Farnham in Surrey, did not return to Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday and a manhunt was launched.
Reynolds, who was found guilty of four counts of theft, handed himself in at a police station in Sheffield on Monday.Reynolds, who was found guilty of four counts of theft, handed himself in at a police station in Sheffield on Monday.
He was vicar at All Saints Church in Darton, near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, when the thefts took place.He was vicar at All Saints Church in Darton, near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, when the thefts took place.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Julian Goose QC sentenced him to 30 months for stealing church fees and an additional two months for breaching his bail.At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Julian Goose QC sentenced him to 30 months for stealing church fees and an additional two months for breaching his bail.
'Abused parishioners trust''Abused parishioners trust'
The 50-year-old disgraced vicar took thousands of pounds of fees handed over to the church for weddings, funerals and churchyard memorials.The 50-year-old disgraced vicar took thousands of pounds of fees handed over to the church for weddings, funerals and churchyard memorials.
Sentencing him, the judge said: "Reynolds' parishioners had let him into their homes and lives only to have their trust abused."Sentencing him, the judge said: "Reynolds' parishioners had let him into their homes and lives only to have their trust abused."
Reynolds, of Upper Church Lane, fled the country as the jury deliberated last week, but handed himself in to South Yorkshire Police in an arranged appointment.Reynolds, of Upper Church Lane, fled the country as the jury deliberated last week, but handed himself in to South Yorkshire Police in an arranged appointment.
He had planned to travel to Dublin but booked a flight to Dusseldorf, where he stayed with a friend who drove him back, the court heard.He had planned to travel to Dublin but booked a flight to Dusseldorf, where he stayed with a friend who drove him back, the court heard.
Defence barrister Alasdair Campbell told the court: "He told me that he was not, in fact, fleeing from the process but he was fleeing from what, personally, he was feeling."Defence barrister Alasdair Campbell told the court: "He told me that he was not, in fact, fleeing from the process but he was fleeing from what, personally, he was feeling."
Money from three of the thefts should have been sent to the Wakefield Diocesan Board of Finance for marriages, funerals and graveyard memorials, the jury heard.Money from three of the thefts should have been sent to the Wakefield Diocesan Board of Finance for marriages, funerals and graveyard memorials, the jury heard.
The fourth count related to payments for monuments that should have gone to the parochial church council.The fourth count related to payments for monuments that should have gone to the parochial church council.
Victims
Iris Fleetwood and Gail Zoldan, both from Darton, handed over cash to the vicar for headstones following the death of their husbands.
Mrs Fleetwood, whose husband Jeff died in 2010, said: "To me personally, he nearly destroyed me, that man.
"I did warn the church at the time, I told him personally and his boss that he was no man of God and he was a disgrace to Darton church."
"He took me to the very edge... I've waited for this day and, at last, it's come."
Mrs Zoldan, whose husband Martin died in 2011, said: "I'm glad that justice has been done.
"I think being a priest, and having all your trust in him, the sentence just isn't long enough."
'Deplorable vicar''Deplorable vicar'
The judge said he had identified 32 individual marriages for which Reynolds appeared to have pocketed the fees.The judge said he had identified 32 individual marriages for which Reynolds appeared to have pocketed the fees.
Prosecutors said it was difficult to say how much he had stolen because of the "appalling state" of his book-keeping, but estimated it was more than £24,000.Prosecutors said it was difficult to say how much he had stolen because of the "appalling state" of his book-keeping, but estimated it was more than £24,000.
Mr Campbell argued the figure was much lower and the judge settled for "at least" £16,500.Mr Campbell argued the figure was much lower and the judge settled for "at least" £16,500.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Caroline Tubb said: "It is hard to imagine a more deplorable and flagrant breach of trust than a vicar stealing money from his own parishioners."Senior Crown Prosecutor Caroline Tubb said: "It is hard to imagine a more deplorable and flagrant breach of trust than a vicar stealing money from his own parishioners."
Reynolds left Darton in 2013 to be a priest-in-charge in Farnham. He was previously a curate in Exeter and, before that, a minor canon at St Paul's Cathedral in London.Reynolds left Darton in 2013 to be a priest-in-charge in Farnham. He was previously a curate in Exeter and, before that, a minor canon at St Paul's Cathedral in London.