Stolen artefacts come home to Patea

Significant religious artefacts stolen from Patea's Anglican Church of St George have been returned.

The items were handed back to the church by Patea police last week.

The two young men who stole them thought the brass ornaments they took were gold, said Constable Dennis Buijtendijk.

The duo, who admitted stealing about $10,000 of items after breaking into the Taranaki church through a side door on at least two occasions in January, were due to be sentenced in the Hawera District Court today.