Parishioner banned for seven years after relentlessly harassing local vicar
A parishioner from Pendeen has been handed a seven-year restraining order after years of harassing the local vicar. Kay Carpenter was found guilty of relentlessly targeting Reverend Karsten Wedgewood, leaving him anxious and distressed. The court ruled that her behaviour was persistent and unacceptable.
The harassment began when Carpenter repeatedly tried to involve herself in church activities. Reverend Wedgewood refused her requests, citing her inappropriate conduct as unsuitable for any church role. Despite warnings, she continued sending constant emails and making uninvited visits to his home.
In June 2024, the situation escalated when Reverend Wedgewood was forced to remove Carpenter from his property. She admitted to the visits and messages but later claimed she no longer wanted contact after being asked to leave. The court heard that her actions were described as 'relentless, remorseless and repeated' by the judge. The restraining order now bans Carpenter from contacting Reverend Wedgewood or approaching his home and churches. If she breaches the order, she could face up to five years in prison. A separate charge of obstructing or assaulting a clergyman was dropped after prosecutors offered no evidence.
The seven-year order aims to protect Reverend Wedgewood from further distress. Carpenter's actions were ruled to have caused significant alarm, leading to legal consequences. The case highlights the seriousness of persistent harassment, even within a small parish community.
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