Chris Ward, 74, is in dispute with St. Paul’s Community Church, Augustus Road, Wimbledon, which has taken several steps to ban him from the place of worship.
Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court heard the defendant was made subject to an anti-social behaviour warning, which was upgraded to another notice before being slapped with a Community Protection Notice (CPN).
He pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the CPN on November 10, last year when he attended the church and was fined £268, with £85 costs, plus a £107 victim surcharge.
Ward, of nearby Windlesham Grove told the court he was volunteering at the church’s food bank in their community centre on a previous occasion when he was made subject to a complaint.
“I was accused of entering the community centre before it opened by the manager in front of the vicar.
“There was a cleaner in there and I said: ‘Good morning,’ and she left.”
The prosecution told the hearing there was an ongoing issue between Ward and the Reverend of the church and community.
On November 10, Ward was seen entering the church through the front entrance, taking a seat and remaining for thirty minutes and was reported.
“I went there to pray for compassion,” Ward told the court.
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