Man jailed over church vandalism

Gravestones overturned at Great Plumstead church.

A 23-year-old man who vandalised a church, smashing stained glass windows and pews and knocking over headstones, has been jailed for nine months.

Ashley Keith Marriott, of Westfield Road, Brundall, Norfolk, admitted the criminal damage at St Mary's Church, Great Plumstead, in July this year.

Stephen Spence, mitigating, said his client Marriott, who was of previous good character, was drunk at the time.

Judge Peter Jacobs said such damage causes a great deal of distress.

"The message must go out that when courts are faced with people who have stolen from churches or caused substantial damage, these people will go into custody. There will be no exceptions," he said.