Crossword Genius

Member of clergy beheaded for crime (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arson

'crime' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'member of clergy beheaded' is the wordplay.
'member of clergy' becomes 'parson'.
'beheaded' means to remove the first letter.
'parson' with its initial letter taken away is 'ARSON'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for arson that I've seen before include "Criminal activity" , "Fire-lighting crime" , "Pyromaniac crime" , "Malicious fire-raising" , "The act of firing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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