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Tributes have been paid to a “lovely” Midland priest who was killed in an horrific hospital attack. Father Oliver Kemp was fatally injured at Stafford’s County Hospital last year.
Police were called to reports of an assault at the hospital shortly before 8pm on February 17, 2021. Sadly, the 82-year-old who lived in Aston Hall, Stone, died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital six days later on February 23.
His killer – 33-year-old Joseph Phillips, from Stafford – pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility during a hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday, July 7. He is due to be sentenced on September 6, StokeonTrentLive reported.
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Following the plea hearing, an Archdiocese of Birmingham spokesman said: “We keep in our prayers the late Father Oliver Kemp and all those who mourn him. We remain deeply saddened by Fr Kemp’s passing in such tragic circumstances.
“Fr Kemp was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and served at several parishes across the archdiocese from his ordination in 1966 until his retirement in 2004. We commend Fr Kemp to the Lord, that he may he rest in peace, and we pray for all those affected by his death.”
Tributes also poured in from parishioners with fond memories of Father Kemp. Josie Lloyd said: “Ollie was a lovely man who had time and a kind word for everyone.”
Martin Kirkham said: “Oliver Kemp, a truly great man. You did not deserve to go this way.”
Teresa Worthington added: “Father Kemp was a lovely priest. I knew him well. He was such a kind man. It is such a sad world.”
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