A DISGRACED vicar sent drunken text messages to his bishop telling him: “Go to hell.”
Father Matthew McMurray, who had stolen nearly £6,000 from the diocese, broke his bail conditions by contacting the Bishop of Blackburn Philip North.
McMurray had been drinking when he sent a message, saying: “You and I need to have a face-to-face and it will not be pleasant.”
As well as telling the bishop to go to hell, he also threatened to self-harm.
In court in February, McMurray, 46, admitted stealing £5,972 from two churches near Preston — but was arrested over the texts weeks later.
Last week, McMurray, who lost his job, admitted harassment and got a suspended jail term at Preston magistrates’ court.
Defending, John Lee said that McMurray “sent messages which constitute an offence.”
Mr Lee said his client was using alcohol and had mental health issues.
The lawyer added: “The defendant chose to drink alcohol and in a drunken stupor sent these messages.
“He accepts that is one of the most silly things he could have done. He felt he had been let down and that the church should help him. At the end of his employment it has all gone horribly wrong.
“He has admitted it at the earliest opportunity. He has lost his career and roof over his head. The money has been paid back by a benefactor. He is not proud of himself. He accepts he was in a position of trust and let a number of people down.
“He co-operated with the Diocese and has no previous convictions. He is still drinking three times a week but says he can be alcohol abstinent. These offences have generally been committed while in drink.”
The court heard that McMurray received his last payment from the Church in March and is going on benefits.
District judge Richard Thompson sentenced McMurray to three months in prison for the thefts and two months in prison for the harassment but suspended the sentences for five months.
McMurray was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and given an alcohol abstinence requirement for 90 days and will have to wear a device to monitor his alcohol use.
He was ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
1
