Christian vandalize victims ask church to spare the guilty

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The couple believe their faith is worth nothing if they can't reach out and help someone.

Two teenage criminals plead guilty for causing thousands of dollars in damages to a local church. However, Christian victims urged the U.K. court's judges to spare the teenagers.

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Highlights

By Atarah Haely (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
5/14/2015 (8 years ago)

Published in Marriage & Family

Keywords: Plea, Guilty, Mini Crime Spree, Sentence, Church, Teenagers, Constructive, Remorse

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - After the two teens broke into the St. Andrews Church in Bristol, UK in January, and stole an overhead projector, laptop and speakers, it is surprising that the pastor and his wife would appear and speak on their behalf.

According to Western Daily Press, the couple asked the court to give the teens constructive sentences, rather than jailing them as punishment.

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"Our faith is worth less than nothing if we can't reach out to someone and support them," said Pastor Nick Ruskin.

Ben Walsh, 18, and Ricky Harris, 19, allegedly trespassed the church and caused damages, as part of acts of a "mini crime spree," which included separate cases of misconduct -- such as torching cars on the street. Regardless of the amount of damage they inflicted on the local church, the couple believes the right thing to do is to help them.

"He was scared stiff. When we got in there we listened to him and we didn't interrupt him. We gave our side," said Geraldine Ruskin, the pastor's wife, in a later interview with the Bristol post. She said that she met Harris in the restorative justice program after their arrest. Geraldine added that he was remorseful for what they did.

"Immediately, his whole attitude was changing. He was actually showing remorse. I'm not a push over; I don't just take words into account, I take what people are doing."

The two received a 12-month jail sentence each, which will be suspended for two years, as per the judge's decision. If they meet the terms of the court order, the jail time will not be served.

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