BBC News reports that a man who smashed a stained window of a church and left traces of blood in Kew has been fined more than £11,000.

Craig Knight on 10 January broke into St Anne's Church in Kew while drunk, Wimbledon Magistrates' Court heard yesterday (9 March).

Reverend Canon Dr Giles Fraser, said he saw blood on the church altar and floor, and discovered that two brass candlesticks had been stolen.

Fraser said that Knight, of Waltham Forest, was found to have also entered a mausoleum behind the altar and open up a box of ashes.

"extremely ashamed", the 50-year-old from east London reported what had happened to the police, the court heard.

Fraser added that the two brass candlesticks were returned.

Knight pleaded guilty to criminal damage and removal of human remains from a place of burial, and was sentenced to a 12-month community order.

He was fined a total of £11,415, including legal costs, and must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work.

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BBC News reports that chairman of the magistrates' bench Peter Jones said there was "recklessness and impulse", but noted Knight's remorse.

"I did feel quite angry when it happened but the fact that the candles were returned I think made people feel rather sorry for him," Reverend Fraser said.

St Anne's Church is a Grade-II listed building which dates from 1714 and is located near Kew Gardens.

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