CONVERSION ON THE ROAD TO HARPOLE
RELIGIOUS FANATICS RISK THEIR LIVES TO SPREAD THE WORD OF THE LORD TO MOTORISTS
Source : 15/08/2001 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Religious vandals have taken their life into their hands to spread the word of the Lord after painting graffiti on one of the main routes into Northampton.
The message 'Jesus Christ is the Lord' has been daubed in white paint on the eastbound dual carriageway of the A45 near Harpole, in an attempt to convert non-believing motorists to Christianity.
Police have warned that the graffiti artists not only endangered their own lives by dodging traffic to paint the make-shift holy inscription, but also risked the safety of drivers whose attention could be distracted by the message.
Reports of the graffiti filtered through to Sgt Alan McSharry, from Towcester police station, on Monday. He said: 'It is bizarre, I have never seen anything quite like this.'
'The message might not be offensive, but damage to the highway is still a criminal offence. Whoever is responsible has endangered their own lives and the lives of passing motorists.'
The A45 has been plagued by other religious graffiti. A sign emblazoned with the message 'Whoever calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved' has been put at the side of the road, and a derelict garage has also been targeted.
John Campbell, spokesman for the Jesus Army, told the Chronicle and Echo he had no reason to believe any of the group's members were responsible for the graffiti.
The religious sect has its headquarters at Nether Heyford close to where the graffiti has been painted.
Mr Campbell said: 'Painting religious texts on the road is not going to help anyone in their spiritual walk.'
'We will make it clear to our members that it is not something that we approve of.'
The graffiti, before it was removed.
On the outskirts of the Village of Weedon, a few miles from from New Creation Farm, a derelict garage has also been decorated.
The derelict garage.
