THREE men who carried out a 'despicable and cowardly' attack on a priest in his own home have been sentenced to 12 years in prison.Paul Hands, 28, of Holebottom, his brother Andrew Hands, 25, of Atlas Street, and Stephen Hinchcliffe, 25, of Gambrel Bank Road, all Ashton under Lyne, were each jailed for four years after admitting burglary and assault.
Fr Francis Wadsworth, 37, who sat only feet from the men in Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, said he forgives them for what they did.
Wary
Speaking after the hearing, he said the attack at St Ann's Presbytery, Burlington Street, Ashton under Lyne, had made him wary of answering his door.
The Roman Catholic priest had just returned home from visiting a parishioner in hospital last November when he answered a knock at the door.
The men forced their way into the house demanding keys and cash. Fr Wadsworth was punched in the face, but fought back, biting one of his attackers.
He suffered bruising to his right eye and was left very shaken. They escaped with church funds.
Message
Fr Wadsworth said: "I am happy that sentence has been passed on these three young men because it sends the message to the general public that crime does not pay.
"I hope and pray that as a result of what I've experienced, other victims of crime will come forward because they have seen the parish priest do it.
"I get on with my life now and try to serve the best I can. I'm a lot more wary about answering the door.
"It certainly was not pleasant being in court and seeing them and their relatives and friends. I have to forgive them because that is the ethos of the Church."
'Despicable'
Det Con Amanda Mercer, of Tameside CID, said: "This was a despicable and cowardly attack.
"Fr Wadsworth was left extremely distressed and I am sure he is now more reluctant to answer his door.
"That is a terrible feeling for someone to have, especially when they have such an important role in the community."
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