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http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk...tentPK=6893773

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FURY AS CHURCH HIT BY GRAFFITI VANDALS

GORDON COUTTS

16:00 - 03 September 2003

Vandals have gone on the rampage at an Aberdeen church.

Graffiti was daubed on the walls of St Joseph's RC Parish Church in Woodside's Tanfield Walk and paint spilled on the front door and steps.

And three cars in the church car park - two of which belong to the same owner - were also splashed with the orange paint.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday.

The vandals' victims are outraged and church members are considering installing CCTV.

Moldovan nurse Michael Gvozdinsky, 52, has lived on Tanfield Walk with his retired wife, Anna, 60, since 1994.

He found his Peugeot 405, which was parked in the church car park, smeared in paint.

Paint was splashed all over the church's front door and the phrase "The Famicom" was scrawled in foot-high writing on the wall.

Michael's wife's Nissan Micra and a Vauxhall Calibra belonging to a neighbour had also been vandalised.

Mr Gvodinsky said: "I am disgusted, disgraced, ashamed, immensely angry, lost and helpless.

"What is going on in this country? I cannot believe this has happened.

"I doubt anything will be done about the people who did this - I had my old Lada's windows smashed here a couple of years ago and my tools stolen.

"The police never found anyone then, and I doubt they will this time.

"And what is this 'Famicom'?"

St Joseph's Ghanaian priest, Father William Adjei, said: "There have been bits of vandalism around the church before, but this is the worst we've had since I've been here.

"I think we will look at the possibility of CCTV to prevent such a thing happening again."

Allan Grant, 67, from Dyce, has been a member of the church since 1984.

He said: "This is an atrocity.

"It is a deliberate act of desecration on a place of worship."

Police have confirmed they are searching for the culprits - but are unable to shed any light on the meaning of "The Famicom".

Anyone with information is asked to contact Grampian Police on 386000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.