Dead hedgehog minister guilty of perverting the course of justice

A METHODIST minister, described by one of her own stewards as a “disciple of the devil”, sent faeces and a dead hedgehog to herself in an attempt to win the support and sympathy of her congregation and because she loved to be the centre of attention.

The Rev Janet Magee, 62, of St James Road in Brigg, who denied the offence, was convicted by a majority 11-1 verdict of perverting the course of justice after a six day trial at Grimsby Crown Court. She was given a six-month suspended sentence.

The Rev Janet Magee

According to the Independent, the court heard how the minister had sent threatening letters to herself and other prominent members of the church and told police she had received a dead hedgehog in the post.

She made 13 formal complaints to the police between 2004 and 2007.

Judge David Tremberg said Humberside Police had invested a large amount of time trying to find her alleged stalker and had even fitted CCTV at the defendant’s home.

One man, a Methodist church steward, was arrested during the inquiry and some local people who were concerned about their vicar held a night vigil outside her home.

Judge Tremberg said:

An innocent man was arrested and had his home searched. You had anxious friends and fellow churchgoers running around after you. To attract sympathy or attention you made false claims that you were a subject of a hate campaign. You fabricated threatening letters some which you sent to yourself and some to other prominent members of the church.

You have earned no credit by brazening a trial at substantial public expense in the teeth of compelling evidence.

After the hearing Sgt Robert Hutchinson, of Humberside Police, who led the investigation said:

This has been a very long and difficult inquiry which has had significant impact on police resources throughout the investigation.

We take no pleasure in the result of this sad case. However twenty months ago we set out to identify the author of these letters and today we have achieved this.

Magee will now lose her position as Methodist minister for the Brigg and Barton area, as well as her home.