Man 'possessed by the Devil’

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 44

Man 'possessed by the Devil’

PA Wellington A man who had broken into five churches said he had been possessed by the Devil, the police told the District Court in Wellington yesterday. Robert George Bray, aged 18, a labourer, of Titahi Bay, pleaded guilty to seven charges of burglary, five of intentional damage, two of wilfully setting fire to property, two of wilful destruction, and four of theft.

His associate, Warren James St Merat, aged 17, an engraver, pleaded guilty to 13 charges — six of burglary, two of wilfully setting fire to property, four of intentional damage, and one of wilfully destroying property. Senior-Sergeant Patrick Darroch, prosecuting, said the two had taken property including a crucifix, four

wooden crosses, stoles, a snuffer, and Communion wine from the churches on August 24 and 25. Afterwards, in council changing sheds at Titahi Bay, the pair drank Communion wine and spraypainted graffiti on the walls and set fire to an altar cloth. At 6 p.m. on August 25, Bray returned to the St Pius X Church, in which the pair had earlier systematically broken articles and sprayed walls, but he was disturbed by a priest. The police found Bray at Onepoto Park wearing a chasuble and waving a brass cross. Bray said he had been possessed by the Devil. St Merat could give no explanation. Judge Paterson remanded them to September 18 for a report and sentence.