Pensioner attacks female chaplain in row about crazy golf at cathedral
Written by News on 04/09/2019
A pensioner has appeared in court after getting so angry at Rochester Cathedral’s crazy golf course that he grabbed a woman by the throat and swore at visitors, including children.
Michael Feeney, of St Margarets Banks in Rochester, caused a disturbance at Rochester Cathedral in early August.
The 67-year-old was sitting outside the cathedral when he was approached by chaplain Margaret Moore, who had been worried about him.
Mr Feeney went on to shout and complain about the cathedral’s crazy golf course and grabbed Ms Moore by the throat.
He then left, only to return an hour later, smelling of alcohol. The pensioner entered the church, where 40 visitors, including children, heard his shouting.
He also attempted to hit cathedral verger Joseph Miller, magistrates heard, before police arrived to arrest him.
Visitors said they heard Mr Feeney shout: “This isn’t f*****g Disneyland, this is a f*****g cathedral, this is a f******disgrace.”
Lawyer Ghulam Humayun said Mr Feeney, who also lives in Spain, had heard French tourists discussing a game of golf before his actions. The defendant was said to have believed cathedral staff were turning the site “into a leisure centre”.
Mr Humayun said his client did not attend church regularly, and had had two glasses of wine.
Mr Feeney pleaded guilty to engaging in riotous, violent or indecent behaviour in a church, chapel or churchyard under the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act 1860.
The pensioner also pleaded guilty to one count of common assault.
During the case, Mr Feeney apologised for his behaviour.
“I am extremely ashamed about it. I am trying to be a nice person,” he said.
“I am not against the cathedral at all. I go into there to pray sometimes.”
Mr Feeney was given a 12-month conditional discharge and was asked to pay £85 in costs.
Rochester Cathedral set up a crazy golf course within the church building in an attempt to attract younger people and to teach them about the nearby Rochester Bridge.
At the time, one of the cathedral’s priests Reverend Rachel Phillips said: “We hope that, while playing adventure golf, visitors will reflect on the bridges that need to be built in their own lives and in our world today.”
(c) Sky News 2019: Pensioner attacks female chaplain in row about crazy golf at cathedral
