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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Pat Hurst

Funeral firm employee stole ring from dead priest’s hand and sold it to fund drug habit

Gold Lancashire Constabulary
Nicholas Mather avoided a prison sentence at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Friday - (PA)

A funeral firm employee described as "utterly despicable" after stealing an 18-carat gold ring from a deceased priest's finger has avoided a prison sentence.

Nicholas Mather, 34, took the priesthood ring from the body of Father Peter Crowther while working at B Livesey Funeral Directors in Chorley, Lancashire.

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