Thieves nick minister's Sat Nav

Oct 13 2008 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

A PAKISTANI minister who recently moved to Paisley has had his Sat Nav system pinched from his motor in the church car park.

Reverend Peter Gill’s £250 satellite navigation gear – which he needs to find his way about town – was stolen from the car while it was parked at in church grounds at Wallneuk North.

Rev Gill, 43, is new to Paisley and needs the gadget for directions when he is out and about visiting parishioners.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “The car, which is a grey Vauxhall Vectra, was in the church car park.

“I was away at the Church of Scotland head office in Edinburgh at the time of the theft, and when I came back my driver’s side window had been smashed.

“I need the sat nav to get around because I am new here. I am literally lost without it. I need it to get out and meet my new parishioners.”

The Express revealed that Peter, from Lahore, is the first Pakistani to be ordained in Scotland and get his own parish here.

He moved to the town with his wife Saboohi and their three children – and he has already worn a kilt and tasted haggis!

Peter, who studied for an MA in theology at Glasgow University, has embraced Scottish life and culture and his children Sharoon, 16, Shahruck, 11, and Miriam, nine, go to Paisley schools.

He has been enjoying life in Paisley, but is disappointed about the break-in to his car. “The Sat Nav came with the car, and it is too expensive for me to buy a new one.”

One parishioner said: “This is really disappointing. It’s not much of a welcome for our new minister. We have all been trying to talk Paisley up and all the positive things that go on in the town and then this happenes.

“It is a real shame. I am sure he will be very forgiving but it would be even better if the thief saw the error of his ways and gave the equipment back.”

The vandalism and theft happened between 3pm and 3.30pm in the church car park in Abercorn Street on Tuesday, September 30.

If you know who has the gadget, or if someone suspicious has tried to sell you one, please callLynn Jolly in the Express newsroom on 0141 847 8637.