MASKED burglars battered a former Winsford priest in a sickening attack which left his face slashed and body bruised all over.

Father James McGrath was beaten with an iron bar before the two men slashed his face with a knife.

The 63-year-old Catholic priest was formerly in charge of St Joseph's parish at Woodford Lane, Winsford, but he was re-assigned to the Holy Name of Jesus Church, Birkenhead, last September.

On Friday night at 10pm, the two masked men knocked on his door and forced their way into his presbytery.

The two thugs, believed to be in their 20s, subjected him to continuous blows to his head and body then lashed at his face with a knife, causing a cut to his chin.

Parish housekeeper Christine McGuiness was upstairs listening in terror as the men beat up the defenceless priest.

She managed to phone the police before being dragged downstairs. Although she was uninjured during the incident, she is still recovering from shock.

Her red Austin Metro was stolen by the robbers as a getaway car. They escaped with jewellery and cash from the house.

Sgt Peter Moneypenny, of Birkenhead Police, is heading the investigation following the horrific attack.

He said: "Fr James McGrath was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral where he received stitches to his face and was kept in over night for observation.

"He is still recovering from the ordeal and trying to come to terms with it. He was very shocked.

"I believe he is very well liked by the communities, both here and in Winsford. He is very popular and we have received lots of good wishes."

Fr Peter Montgomery, of St Joseph's RC Church, Winsford, took over from Fr McGrath. He said: "I know Jim McGrath very well. He is a very well liked, kind and dedicated man. It's all rather sad but the police are doing their best to find the men involved.

"He is having a bit of a break to get over the ordeal and local clergymen are helping him."

Fr McGrath has no plans to return to his parish at Winsford and will continue to work in Birkenhead despite the attack.

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