Mysterious vandal pays for damage (From Witney Gazette)

Mysterious vandal pays for damage

10:57am Thursday 30th March 2006 in Witney By Andrew Alexander

A MYSTERIOUS vandal who broke a church window in Eynsham felt guilty enough to leave behind £50 to pay for a replacement.

The priest at St Peter's Church is unsure whether the pane of glass was broken on purpose or by accident, but said he offered up a prayer of thanks when he realised the culprit had made good for the damage.

Father Martin Flatman, who came to the village last year, and is also the Roman Catholic chaplain at Oxford Brookes University, said: "I went to unlock the church on Friday morning at about 5am, in time for morning mass, when I found this pane of glass neatly propped up against the wall.

"It had been partly smashed and taken out. I thought 'oh dear' until I noticed right beside it, and neatly folded, was £50, two £10 notes and a £20.

"I offered up a prayer of thanks to almighty God. There's enough things we've had to spend money on in the building without having to pay for a new pane of glass."

The arched window was repaired by Robin Saunders, of Evenlode DIY, in Eynsham. Mr Saunders said: "The whole thing is really intriguing. Whoever did it must have used a lot of strength to get the window out in the way they did."

Father Flatman said: "I've no idea what happened. But I've told a few church members about it, and they found it quite funny."