Priest ‘loses trust’ in police for ‘doing nothing’ after he was brutally attacked by four thugs when he asked revelers to end late-night bash in church hall
- Father Colin Mason shared a photograph of his bloodied shirt and face
- He was attacked outside his church in Bristol at 11pm on August 20
- His eye socket was fractured in the assault which he said was not investigated
A parish priest who was badly beaten on the grounds of his own church has slammed a police force for not investigating the brutal crime that left his t-shirt covered in blood.
Father Colin Mason, of Sacred Heart Church in Westbury-on-Trym in Bristol, shared a photograph of his bloodied shirt and bruised face after the assault at 11pm on August 20.
His eye socket was fractured in the attack, which happened after he asked a party in the church hall to shut down because it was going on too late.
Father Mason blasted Avon and Somerset Police for ‘doing nothing’ to investigate the case, despite being initially helpful.
The force has said it is reviewing its service.
Father Mason told the BBC the church hall had been rented out for a party that night, which was supposed to end at 10pm.
Father Colin Mason, of Sacred Heart Church in Westbury-on-Trym in Bristol, shared a photograph of his bloodied shirt and bruised face after the assault at 11pm on August 20
But when loud music blasted out of the building an hour later he had to go to the hall to ask those inside to leave.
Father Mason blasted Avon and Somerset Police for ‘doing nothing’ to investigate
He said: ‘Four blokes bundled me outside and one of them beat me up, so I was lying on the grass covered in blood.’
After police were called four officers forced those inside to leave and one took down the name and contact details of the person who booked the gathering.
An ambulance was also called to take Father Mason to Southmead Hospital.
After a month passed Father Mason heard nothing from the police and called to check in. He was told the case has been ‘filed’.
‘To say they had closed the case was astonishing. They closed it with no investigation whatsoever,’ he said.
Father Mason has since written a letter of complaint to ask for the case to be reopened ahead of a ‘proper investigation’.
Father Mason told the BBC the church hall had been rented out for a party that night, which was supposed to end at 10pm. Pictured, the church
He said it was an issue of ‘public confidence’ because a violent man continued to walk the streets with ‘impunity’, adding that his confidence in the system was gone.
MailOnline has contacted Avon and Somerset Police for comment.
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