Vicar died of chest stab wounds

Father Paul Bennett died near his church in the Cynon Valley

A priest, who was found dead in the grounds of his vicarage, died of multiple stab wounds, an inquest has been told.

Father Paul Bennett, 59, of St Fagan's Church, in Trecynon, near Aberdare, died at his home on March 14.

Coroner Philip Walters adjourned the hearing, enabling his funeral to take place next Tuesday.

Geraint David Evans, 23, of Trecynon, was charged with murder. He will appear before Cardiff Crown Court on 1 June.

Det Insp Richard Jones told Pontypridd Coroner's Court that police received a call at 1448 GMT on 14 March to say that the male occupant of the vicarage was being attacked outside by a man with a knife.

Mr Jones of South Wales Police said: "Police officers arrived a short time later and found the body of a male in the grounds of the vicarage.

"It was apparent that he had been stabbed and paramedics who arrived shortly afterwards pronounced life extinct at the scene."

Dr Rick James, a Home Office pathologist, concluded after a post mortem examination that Father Bennett died from multiple stab wounds, and the cause of death was stab wounds to the chest.

Mr Walters, who adjourned the inquest, said: "The body can be released to the family for the funeral to take place."