Tunnel terror of girl, 7

Forced to break into church

A seven-year-old girl was left traumatised after a thief forced her to crawl through a tunnel into a church.

The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is now afraid of the dark and has behavioural problems following her ordeal.

T h i r t y - f o u r- y e a rold Andrew Park, of Aberuthven, made the girl crawl through the tunnel and open a trapdoor into Blackford Parish Church in February.

He then stole handbells, silver communion cups, a candle snuffer and other items.

The 160- year- old building was ransacked and the pulpit was overturned.

Minister Mairi Perkins was reportedly left in tears after the extent of the damage was revealed.

It was later discovered there was asbestos in the walls of the building and it has been closed while the Church of Scotland decide their next move.

Weekly services are being held at Ardoch Church in Braco.

Career criminal Park admitted the theft from the church, as well as a catalogue of other crimes committed in the north of Scotland.

They included breaking into locked sheds, boats and a hotel.

He also pled guilty to exposing the young girl to unnecessary suffering by inducing her to crawl through the tunnel and steal the items from the church.

For ty- s i x- year- old Louise Coburn admitted two charges of resetting stolen goods, including items taken from the church.

Coburn was freed on bail but Park was remanded in custody while reports are prepared.

They will both return to Dundee Sheriff Court for sentence on June 6.