Priest sentenced for stealing church donations

A priest has been given a suspended prison sentence for stealing money from his own church's donation plates.

Fortunato Pantisano, 44, was caught on CCTV taking about £200 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Fulham, west London, on 7 January.

The Italian national pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft by an employee in June but was convicted of the offence following a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The court heard Pantisano had been a priest at the church for 10 years and had previously been of good character.

Pantisano, of Harewood Avenue in Westminster, was sentenced to 20 weeks' imprisonment suspended for two years.

District Judge Daniel Sternberg also ordered him to pay £200 in compensation and costs of about £800.

Judge Sternberg said the offence was of "high culpability" due to the trust and responsibility placed in the defendant by the church.

The court heard that Pantisano was suspended from service at the time of the theft. He continued to deny having committed the offence, his pre-sentence report showed.

Judge Sternberg added it was likely Pantisano would not be able to practise as a priest again.

The judge said a suspended sentence was appropriate given the defendant had no previous convictions, presented no real risk to the public and had a "strong prospect" of rehabilitation.

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