It is believed that Pastor Mateola is the first religious leader to have faced prosecution under the UK coronavirus laws. Pastor Mateola was hosting a Men’s Conference, addressing the struggles his male congregants have suffered in the pandemic. A member of the public made a noise complaint and two Thames Valley Police officers turned up around 7pm. ‘I tried to explain to the police that this was an online church service broadcast according to the guidelines but they wouldn’t listen,’ said Pastor Mateola. Pastor Mateola continued: ‘We really appreciate what the police do and our aim as a church is not to attack them.

Source: Daily Mail November 28, 2020 23:57 UTC