Teen robbed grave for skull 'candlestick'

A teenager in the US stole a skull from a grave to use as a candleholder.

Jordan Trinci took the skull of William Barnes Jr from his tomb at the cemetery in Rutland, Vermont.

Trinici, aged 19, later gave it to a friend whose mum saw the 'candlestick' and police were called in. Trinici pleaded guilty to grave-robbing and was given 30 days community service and a fine of about £600.

He said the door to the Barnes family tomb was already open when he went inside to take the skull. He was with his friend Ted Everett, who will face similar charges in a separate case.

It belonged to William Barnes, the 21-year-old son of a quarry owner who died in 1860, reports the Rutland Herald.

Police at first thought the skull belonged to a missing person who disappeared five years ago. An anthropologist was called in to confirm the skull's identity.

William Barnes' skull, currently held as evidence, will be returned to the grave after the case is heard.