A pair of teenagers have been charged following the destruction of a figurine of the baby Jesus at an Aberdeen Nativity scene.
The two boys, aged 13 and 17, have been charged by police after the sculpture of Christ was discovered smashed in half, while two wise men and a donkey were also attacked on Tuesday.
On Monday evening, the display opened in St Nicholas churchyard following a blessing ceremony attended by local church leaders and school children.
The 17-year-old boy will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and a 13-year-old to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.
The city council has replaced the statue in the manager, with one from a previous Nativity scene.
Two boys have been charged following a report of vandalism within the St Nicholas Kirk Yard, Union Street overnight on 2nd & 3rd Dec.
A 17y/o boy will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and a 13y/o boy will be reported to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration pic.twitter.com/3Qe1r6EQJD
— Aberdeen City Police (@AberdeenCPolice) December 4, 2019
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “We had a Jesus figure from a previous Nativity which was kept in storage and this is being used as a replacement.
“While it is older and of a different style, we felt it was better to replace the figure as soon as we could.”
The new infant features longer hair and sits in a different pose.
Following the attack, many public figures and church leaders hit out at the vandalism.
Roman Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert, said: “For this to take place as we enter into the season of Advent is particularly hurtful and we pray for the local faith communities coming to terms with it, as we pray also for the perpetrators that they may see the error in what they have done. “