STRUGGLE ON A CHURCH ROOF.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 8 May 1911, Page 3

STRUGGLE ON A CHURCH ROOF.

9 .. SHOWER OF TILES ON POLICEMEN.

St. Augustine's church, Honor Oak Park, Forest hill, was early on a February morning the scene of a struggle between the police and two men who have since been charged with sacrilege and assault. From a position of vantage on the roof of the church vestry two men, besieged by half a dozen police officers, bombarded the policemen with tiles, wounding two of them about the head and face. The engagement was the outcome of a discovery made by two plain clothes policemen as they were passing the church shortly after half-past two. Looking through the vestry window one of the constables noticed that a light was burning within. Simultaneously his companion detected unusual sen—X which seemed to come from somev.'. :: inside the church. The two com}... notes, and as the noises continued for some time they decided to keep close watch upon the building. After two hours of patient waiting they were rewarded for their vigil. Suddenly through the vestry roof two men cautiously emerged, and they were promptly challenged by the police officers. A quick shower of tiles, several of which found their target, was the only reply. Having blown their whistles, the policemen were soon reinforced by uniformed men, and after a short struggle both the men on tlie roof were arrested and taken to Howson road (Brockley) Police Station. Inside the vestry was found a roughand ready bundle / containing half a dozen brass vases and a quantity of communion wine. A hole two feet in diameter had been torn in the vestry roof.