Disgraced parish priest caught stealing £200 from the Sunday collection is spared jail - but could still be kicked out of the church

A disgraced parish priest, who stole £200 from his church's Sunday collection, received a suspended prison sentence on Tuesday. Father Fortunato Pantisano who stole £200 from his church's Sunday collection, received a suspended prison sentence on Tuesday Father Pantisano was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013 'You told the author of your pre-sentence report that you were entitled to this money and plainly the trial court decided you were not entitled to that money.' Fortunato Pantisano fought the charge but was so unconvincing in the witness box, magistrates said his evidence assisted the prosecution The Italian-born priest stole from Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Tynemouth Street, Fulham, in west London 'He was on a sabbatical and was paid last month, but does not know if he will be paid this month while they decide what to do within the Roman Catholic church. Prosecutor Connie Wong told Westminster Magistrates Court today that it was after the second mass of Sunday, January 7 that Father Pantisano was caught on internal CCTV entering the office adjoined to his church accommodation. The trial heard Father Pantisano was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan, after he saw the collection was gone He suggested collection money had been going missing at the church recently.