Gunshots bid to sabotage funeral

A RURAL funeral at an idyllic village church descended into chaos as fireworks and shotgun fire rang out over the churchyard and pellets rained down on graveside mourners.

Startled vicar Judith Trickett was forced to stall proceedings at the funeral of local farmer Geoff Farnsworth as the din drowned out the interment at St Peter’s Church, Letwell, and debris—believed to be shotgun pellets—showered emotional friends and family members.

Guests described how dozens of rockets and bangers were let off as the funeral cortege approached the church and the trouble heightened after the service.

Outraged vicar Judith Trickett said: “This was a blatant attempt to undermine the dignity of the funeral but I don’t think that we allowed it to do that.

“It seems that fireworks were let off as the funeral cortege approached the church prior to the service.

"The banging appeared to stop when we were in church but then resumed again when I was carrying out the interment.

“I was forced to stop because I was left trying to shout over the bangs.

“It was so disrespectful.

“Whatever anybody may think about an individual, for me, there was no need for the disrespect that was shown.”

Mr Farnsworth, of Gildingwells, died at the age of 89, on July 29.

His nephew Michael, who was at the funeral, said: “What happened was totally uncalled for and caused a great deal of upset for the family.”

This week an investigating police officer described the incident as “a deliberate act of disruption” and appealed for members of the public to come forward and help him bring the culprits to book.

Pc Shaun Rhodes, of Dinnington Police Station, said that, according to reports, the bangs had originated from an area behind the churchyard.

However, nobody saw those responsible wielding a shotgun or lighting bangs and fireworks.

Pc Rhodes said: “This is an extremely serious matter and something which we are investigating as a priority.

“Any incident believed to involve guns—especially where large groups of people are involved—have to be taken extremely seriously.

“The fact that this unfolded at a funeral is disgraceful and I know it has caused a lot of unrest in the community.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, which unfolded at around 2pm on August 6, is being urged to contact police on 01709 832700 or contact Pc Rhodes direct, via e-mail, to [email protected].