Priest further bailed in fraud investigation

Northern Echo
August 12, 2014

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11404082.Priest_further_bailed_in_fraud_investigation/?ref=var_0

Ftr John Reid

A ROMAN Catholic priest arrested on suspicion of fraud has been granted police bail for a further two months.

Father John Reid, 66, was arrested earlier this year and was bailed by police until today (Tuesday, August 12)

Detectives were called in after an audit by officials of the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese revealed that cash was missing from St Cuthbert’s Church in Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Police later obtained an order from magistrates at Peterlee to keep £1,770-worth Euros and £675 Sterling they had found at his home.

Ftr Reid has voluntarily given up his ministry and is living at St Patrick’s Presbytery, Fairfield Road, Stockton, while enquiries are continuing

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: “A 66-year-old man from the Stockton area arrested on suspicion of fraud was bailed again until the tenth of October.”