Church Attack

My friend Damian who is a missionary in the UK emailed me the following article regarding a recent attack on his church. Thought I would pass it along. You can either read it below or visit this website.
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Vicious attack on church youngsters
Jun 28 2006

Child members of a church group were kicked and punched to the ground by a drunken mob of adults in Hednesford Park on Friday evening.

Police are currently investigating the horiffic attack, which saw innocent worshippers as young as 14 set upon by the gang, all believed to be aged over

A violent attack has sent shockwaves through members of the peaceloving Kingsmead Independent Baptist Church, who were visiting the park as part of a regular Friday fun-night for younger church members.

Supervisors who tried to intervene were also beaten in the attack, suffering broken noses and bruises.

"You teach how to love and respect those who are around you and then this happens," said a shaken Reverend Damien Pickett.

"Many of our young members are now too scared to return to the park. We are shocked and stunned beyond belief."

The sickening scenes of mindless violence erupted as junior church-goers took part is a group frisbee game.

"It was only around 8.45pm, and everyone was having fun as usual. We were all tossing the frisbee around, kicking a football, everyone was laughing and joking. Then the huge mob came up out of nowhere. There was some verbal abuse. Then they just started raining down blows on the children. They didn't care how young these kids were, or how small. It was terrifying.

"There were punches and kicks to the head and body. Two youth leaders tried to intervene, but it was no good. They got beaten, too. One, Steve Davies, had his nose broken - bent right across his face. Just for trying to protect the children."

Youth Group Leader Steve Davies, 21, said: "It's sickening. Myself and a colleague were just trying to keep the peace, to stop them from hitting the children. We ended up getting attacked ourselves. There should have been community police officers around, surely. It's frightening to think that there weren't."

Police confirmed yesterday that the matter, initially reported at Burntwood LPU and later at Cannock, was currently being investigated.

The horrific attack comes just days after local police and residents praised the community's efforts in clamping down on anti-social behaviour in Hednesford.


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