A MAN who stole money from donation boxes in Pershore Abbey has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Matthew Schramm, aged 32, of Lower Priest Lane, Pershore, admitted theft when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on September 12. He also admitted receiving/handling £120 worth of beauty products from Boots.

He was arrested for theft by police in Abbey Park, Pershore, on September 10.

Pershore Abbey vicar Kenneth Crawford said Schramm had stolen from the Abbey in the past – in 2007 when he was sentenced to 120 hours of community work.

“After expressing our concerns for the well-being of those who volunteer to oversee the bookstall and other areas of the building throughout the week, we were asked if we wish to have the individual banned from the abbey,” he said.

“Our response was that it was neither spiritually nor morally appropriate for us to do this but that, as we have attempted to do in the past, we would be willing to help in any way we can to see if some life-changing transformation would be possible.”

Rev Crawford said: “While we don’t condone the culprit’s action and are anxious to safeguard the well-being of our volunteers, we are sympathetic to the issues which might lie at the heart of this person’s behaviour.”

Schramm was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay a £80 victim surcharge. Magistrates also imposed a two-month curfew from 9pm to 7am.