Man who broke stained glass window fined £11,000

A man who left traces of blood in a Grade II-listed church after smashing a stained glass window has been fined more than £11,000.

Craig Knight, 50, of Waltham Forest, east London, broke into St Anne's Church in Kew, south-west London, while drunk on 10 January, Wimbledon Magistrates' Court heard on Monday.

Reverend Canon Dr Giles Fraser said that he saw blood on the church altar and floor, and discovered that two brass candlesticks had been taken.

Knight also entered a mausoleum behind the altar and opened up a box containing ashes, Fraser said.

The defendant was "extremely ashamed" and reported what had happened to the police, the court heard.

Fraser said that the candlesticks were returned.

Knight pleaded guilty to criminal damage and removal of human remains from a place of burial, and was sentenced to a 12-month community order.

He was fined a total of £11,415, including legal costs, and must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work.

Chairman of the magistrates' bench Peter Jones said there was "recklessness and impulse", but noted Knight's remorse.

Fraser said: "I did feel quite angry when it happened but the fact that the candles were returned I think made people feel rather sorry for him."

St Anne's Church was founded in 1714 after Queen Anne approved a chapel to be built on Kew Green.

It is the burial place of artists Thomas Gainsborough, Johann Zoffany and George Engleheart, and botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker

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