'I am going to f*** you up' Boozed up vicar in crazed rampage

A VICAR shouted “I’m from the Vatican, you're f*****!” as he brawled with police and paramedics after a vodka-fuelled nightclub binge.

By Tom Evans

DRUNKEN: The vicar swore at police officers

Church of England parish priest Gareth Jones yelled “I have diplomatic immunity” as he punched, kicked, bit and spat at a police officer and paramedic.

The pair found the 36-year-old passed out in his clerical frock in Covent Garden, central London.

When paramedic Ian Pollock gently shook the passed-out pastor at 2.30am to check he was alright, he awoke and growled: "I am going to f*** you up."

Jones threatened to attack Mr Pollock but was unable to stand up after downing three bottles of wine, several pints of beer, a number of gin and tonics and vodka during a binge of Biblical proportions.

The married father-of-one, who serves at St Mary and the Virgin in Ilford, northeast London, then lashed out and kicked the emergency worker twice in the leg.

Fearing for his safety, Mr Pollock mounted the violent vicar in the street in a desperate attempt to subdue him.

Describing the events, prosecutor Edward Aydin said: "Two police officers on the other side of the road see what's going on.

COURT: Jones appeared at Highbury Magistrates'

"Mr Pollock, fearing an attack, positioned himself on top of Mr Jones to protect himself.

"Mr Jones is still attacking the paramedic, he punches him in the chest then tried to bite his arms and is spitting on him."

As the officers tried to hold Jones' legs during the struggle, he kicked PC Andrew Fletcher in the left cheek before claiming he was from the Vatican embassy in a cunning attempt to avoid arrest.

"He tells us he has diplomatic immunity,” Mr Aydin added.

"The officer asks which embassy and he says: 'The Vatican, you're f*****.

"He is growling and makes no attempt to respond to a caution and continues to shout that he has diplomatic immunity."

PC Fletcher had to put a leg strap around the vicar’s ankles before he was put in a police van and taken to Belgravia Police Station.

He told officers: "I am utterly ashamed and sorry for any harm that I have caused."

BOOZE: Jones had consumed around 53 units of alcohol

Today he appeared at Highbury Magistrates' Court as he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating.

The court heard that Jones has previous convictions for communicating a false bomb hoax, affray, possession of cannabis, fraud, criminal damage, and driving matters, all before he was 21 years old.

"Mr Jones told me he had a misspent youth,” said Dominic Hockley, defending.

"He is deeply ashamed, he is entirely remorseful."

Mr Hockley told the court that Jones had consumed around 53 units of alcohol before the incident and is seeking help to deal with alcoholism.

He said: "The drinking had moved on from social drinking with his wife to something far more devastating.

"To say that this incident has been a wake-up call would be an understatement."

Jones will have to face an ecclesiastical court which may impose a lifetime ban on him serving the church after his conviction.

District Judge Robin McPhee ordered Jones to pay £700 in fines, £200 compensation to PC Fletcher, £200 compensation to Mr Pollock and £85 prosecution costs and a £35 victim surcharge.