Bearded woman attacked at crucifixion

A beard-wearing woman was attacked as she crucified Jesus. The crime of Passion took place as the woman played a priest during the open air retelling of the Easter story last Sunday.



Jeanie Civil’s attacker ripped her beard from her face and punched her during a performance of The Passion of Christ in Brighton on Easter Sunday. He yelled “Shame on you!” before Mrs Civil’s fellow cast members, dressed as soldiers, held him back. He was bundled into a police car.

About 1,000 people were watching Mrs Civil playing Joseph Caiaphas in the grounds of St Peter’s Church when the man jumped up and attacked. Mrs Civil, who is in her 70s, said: “He was hooded. He leapt up and punched me. He then pulled my beard from my face. It really hurt and it was very shocking.”



Mrs Civil – a psychologist, psychotherapist and author – said she wondered if the man was an ardent Christian who disliked her character’s actions towards the saviour. A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of assault at around 4pm on Sunday. A 59-year-old Brighton man was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and has been bailed until May 1, pending further enquiries.”