Slough burglar jailed for thieving cash from church and biting worshipper

A burglar who preyed on a Slough church; bit a worshipper and robbed the place of cash and precious notes of remembrance has been jailed.  

Martin Contino pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at a hearing in Reading Crown Court on Monday (February 10).

The 54-year-old, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to one year and four months in prison at the same hearing.

Detective Constable Bethany Neville said Contino had ‘committed selfish crimes’ and added, ‘I hope he reflects on his actions in custody’.

Contino broke into the Polish Church of Divine Mercy in Pitts Road on November 4, 2024.

Amid his attempt to plunder valuables, he was challenged by a female church worker in her sixties who tried to prevent his escape.

But the thief bit her on the bicep – causing an injury – and made off with cash and ‘good intentions’ notes.

Good intentions are special notes of remembrance left after a loved one has died.

Contino also broke into the Langley Park offices of Slough company Mansfield Recovery two months before, at around 10am on September 20.

After stealing an E-bike, he returned to the scene of his crime an hour later to steal more electrical items from a store cupboard.

Contino was arrested on the same day he burgled the church - and charged the following day.

DC Neville said: “I am glad Martin Contino has been brought to justice and will serve time in prison and the stolen items will be returned.

“Contino committed selfish crimes, including stealing from a church, and I hope he reflects on his actions in custody.

“I would like to commend the victim in this case. She put herself at risk to stop Contino from escaping, and upon doing so, sustained a very nasty injury.

“She showed real courage, bravery and determination in helping us to bring Contino to justice and to protect our community.”