A Peterhead minister has been moved to a safe house at a secret location along with his family after being allegedly attacked on the front steps of his manse.

Rev. Andrew Renshaw, minister of the town’s Methodist Church, left the house along with wife and four daughters after it was targeted by local teenagers and young men.

Mr Renshaw (41), who has been minister at the church for the past three years, had been due to take part in this weekend’s Christmas Nativity play, but the congregation has since been informed that he has left the area and will not be coming back to Peterhead. They have also been told that he must not be contacted.

It is understood that problems began at the end of September when Mr Renshaw was allegedly punched in the face following an argument with a man on the doorstep of his home, while neighbours claimed that the family continued to suffer abuse and threats at their home over the following weeks.

• Full story at the Buchan Observer.

• Filed under Clergy Issues, Crime, Methodist Church, North East + Northern Isles, Scottish Christian News Monitor.