JP is scolded for calling cathedral vandals 'scum'
A MAGISTRATE was under fire last night after branding two teenage yobs who vandalised a cathedral as “absolute scum” in court.
The 16-year-old boys scribbled racist and sexually abusive graffiti in prayer books and bent a cross, causing £3,000 worth of damage.
They were caught after writing their names in the visitors’ book.
As he sentenced the tearaways, who cannot be named for legal reasons, youth court chairman Austin Molloy, 57, made his remark.
A female court clerk stood up and objected. And the mother of one of the boys claims she will make an official complaint.
But yesterday residents in Blackburn, Lancs, backed his statement. Jackie Dickinson, said: “The magistrate was right. The boys are scum. What they did is sacrilege. Their parents should be punishing them, not making complaints.”
Mr Molloy, heard how Boy A pleaded guilty to damaging the cross, and Boy B to defacing and damaging the books at Blackburn Cathedral.
The pair, from Darwen, Lancs, had been welcomed by Canon Andrew Hindley after they followed a group into the cathedral out of curiosity. Insults found after they left included: “I will kill all Jews. Don’t underestimate me”, and lurid sexual comments about “the vicar”. Mr Molloy sentenced Boy A to an 18-month supervision order and a £1,500 fine, and Boy B to a year’s supervision order and a £100 fine.
As he did so he said: “This court is disgusted by the mindless destruction you have caused. Normal people would consider you absolute scum. If it was in our power, we would have you both stand in front of the congregation at 10am on Sunday and explain your words and actions.”
Mr Molloy yesterday said: “I did say the words ‘absolute scum’ but that was not my opinion. I told them that was how normal people would perceive them.” He had agreed the wording with the other two magistrates.
