Drunken welder admits damaging Christ statue

A POLISH immigrant destroyed a statue of Jesus Christ at a Chadderton church after being told about the abuse of a friend’s son at the hands of a priest.

Oldham magistrates heard that Janusz Sloser (55) drank three glasses of cider and took headache tablets shortly before the incident in June.

He pleaded guilty to religiously or racially-aggravated criminal damage.

An eye-witness saw Sloser, of Mount Road, Gorton, staggering along Broadway towards Middleton Road.

He climbed over the wall at St Herbert’s RC Church in Broadway and snapped the arms and legs off a statue of Christ, before climbing back over the wall and continuing along Broadway.

When police caught up with Sloser he tried to grab the officer and made abusive comments about the church.

Julie Spaven, prosecuting, said Sloser, an experienced welder resident in England since in 2006, did not usually drink and the incident was a one-off. He claimed to have no memory of the vandalism and had offered to pay for the damage caused.

Tim Hughes, defending, said Sloser had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was deeply remorseful for what he had done.”

Details of the alleged abuse were not given in court.

Sloser was sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid community work. He must also pay £150 compensation and £85 costs.