A parish priest has been convicted of stealing £200 from his church’s Sunday assortment after being caught on CCTV serving to himself to the money.
Father Fortunato Pantisano fought the cost however was so unconvincing within the witness field, magistrates mentioned his proof assisted the prosecution in opposition to him.
The Italian-born priest, who was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013, was primarily based at Our Woman of Perpetual Assist church in Tynemouth Road, Fulham.
The 44-year-old was discovered responsible at Metropolis of London Magistrates Courtroom of stealing the cash, which was by no means returned, after the second mass of the day on January 7.
Father Pantisano, who has needed to transfer to lodging at St. Edward’s Convent, Harewood Avenue, Marylebone, was bailed till September 17 for a pre-sentence report.
The trial heard he was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan, who had positioned the 2 wicker baskets in a locked workplace, which may be accessed from the priest’s home.
Father Fortunato Pantisano (pictured arriving at court docket) fought the cost however was so unconvincing within the witness field, magistrates mentioned his proof assisted the prosecution
Father Pantisano was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013 – pictured talking in church
Pantisano pictured arriving at Metropolis of London Magistrates Courtroom
‘This was the gathering from the parishioners for the 2 lots that morning,’ he informed the trial. ‘We went again to rely the offertory and there have been two empty baskets and the gathering had gone.’
He steered assortment cash had been going lacking on the church lately. ‘Due to what had been taking place within the earlier weeks I made a decision to return to rely the cash that day.’
Happily CCTV within the workplace confirmed Father Pantisano enter by way of an adjoining door, take away the 2 baskets containing money from the room, then return them empty.
The Diocese of Westminster Director of Sources, Robert Walker informed the court docket there are strict guidelines concerning the money collections and particular person monks can not merely assist themselves to the cash.
‘Principally I see the cash going from one hand to the opposite and it’s taken with out authorisation,’ he mentioned concerning the CCTV. He takes particular person notes from the hampers and leaves with the cash.
‘There is no such thing as a motive for him to be in there at the moment, notably as he was suspended.’
The trial heard he was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan (pictured)
The Italian-born priest pictured arriving at Metropolis of London Magistrates Courtroom
Father Pantisano was arrested on April 30 and gave a ‘no remark’ interview at Hammersmith Police Station.
He informed the trial he was not suspended and was entitled to be within the workplace, however couldn’t recall if he had taken any of the gathering cash.
‘I don’t bear in mind taking any cash. If I did it was not my intention to be dishonest, it was to purchase meals possibly, I do not bear in mind.
‘Generally there are emergencies like homeless needing cash or charities or the monks want to purchase meals.’
Prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey requested the priest: ‘It’s not credible to say you don’t bear in mind taking the cash, is it? It’s what has introduced you right here right now.
‘You will have gone into that workplace by unlocking the door out of your aspect and brought that cash. That is the reality is not it?’
Father Pantisano replied: ‘I’m the parish priest and I’ve a proper to be there. The cash is given for the monks to resolve what to do.
‘I deny stealing and I’ve no different remark.’
Fortunato Pantisano pictured along with his lawyer Nina Reinach exterior court docket
Mr Paine-Davey informed the magistrates: ‘The defendant can not let you know why he had his palms within the baskets and took them out of view. That isn’t credible.
‘The aim of eradicating the hampers was to steal cash out of sight of the CCTV and solely right now we hear this imprecise, rambling account of what occurred.
‘You simply cannot put your hand in a set basket. That’s dishonesty.’
Father Pantisano’s lawyer Nina Reinach mentioned: ‘To be discovered responsible of this offence can be unbelievable critical. It is a man of fine character who has by no means been in hassle and that needs to be counted to his credit score.’
Discovering him responsible bench Chairman Stuart McCaighy informed the priest: ‘You took cash and envelopes of cash from the wicker baskets right into a room exterior the view of the CCTV.
‘You took cash from these baskets and you could possibly not give us any motive why you have been within the workplace or a reputable reason why you have been taking the cash.
‘You gave no motive for dealing with the cash or any examples of why the £200 was lacking. Your lack of credibility strengthened the case in opposition to you.
‘We’re certain past affordable doubt you dishonestly appropriated this cash. The bench discover you responsible of this offence.’
In his influence assertion Mr Walker mentioned: ‘This has precipitated an unbelievable quantity of distrust between the church and the parishioners. It solely takes one individual to do one thing improper to destroy the status of the remaining.’
Mr Paine-Davey added: ‘Clearly this defendant maintain a place of belief inside the church neighborhood. That’s an aggravating issue so far as sentencing is worried.’
