Former minister jailed for six months for defrauding church of £10,000 and £1,000 from a grieving widow

Adrian Robert McLaughlin, who is 50-years-old and an address listed as Church Avenue in Dunmurry, was previously found guilty by a jury of two counts of fraud back in June.

The trial heard that when St Colman's Parish Church suffered a fire in January 2016, no treasurer was in place between August to November that year.

In October 2016, Mr McLaughlin wrote a cheque for £10,000 from the church's funds, which he claimed was for the “beautification and betterment” of St. Colman’s parish.

However, the court later heard that the payment was actually made to McLaughlin himself.

The court further heard that between September 24 and October 31 2016, McLaughlin was handed £1,000 by a widow who was led to believe that the money would be spent on buying items to commemorate her husband.

After requesting the payee line to be left blank on the cheque, McLaughlin then wrote down his own name and pocketed the money.

The jury at Craigavon Crown Court found McLaughlin guilty by a 10-2 majority verdict.

In his sentencing Judge Patrick Lynch told the court McLaughlin had regarded the parish "as if it was a personal fiefdom" and abused the trust of his congregation.

Regarding taking money from the widow, the judge commented: "The sense of hurt and disappointment oozed from every sentence of her statement."

The defendant was given a 12-month sentence, half of which he will serve in custody before release on licence.