A former vet, teacher and summer camp leader who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to boys before sexually assaulting them has been jailed for more than 23 years. Jon Ruben used the "cloak of Christianity" to carry out his attacks on vulnerable children,...
Religious and Church
Ex-priest found guilty of 17 indecent assaults
A former priest accused of abusing members of a "cult-like" church group he led has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. Chris Brain, 68, was head of the Nine O'Clock Service (NOS), an influential evangelical movement based in...
Church of England Approves Redress Scheme for Survivors of Abuse
The General Synod of the Church of England approved the legislation that will underpin the redress scheme for survivors of Church-related abuse. The landmark vote on Monday 14th July brings to a conclusion the Church’s legislative process, paving the way for the...
Former choirmaster jailed for 12 years
A predatory public school choirmaster who believed he was 'untouchable' by the law after getting away with child sex offences against multiple victims for over 40 years was jailed for 12 years today. David Pickthall, 66, whose music has appeared in a Wallace and...
Former Church of England vicar sentenced for third time for child sex offences
A "predatory" former Church of England vicar faces spending the rest of his life behind bars after he was sentenced for a third time for child sex offences. Ifor Whittaker, 80, previously admitted rape and gross indecency of a young boy in the vestry of St John The...
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns after report finds Church of England ‘covered up’ child sex abuse
The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned after a report found the Church of England covered up sexual abuse by a barrister. The independent Makin review into John Smyth's abuse of children and young men was published last week. Across five decades in three different...
Former housemaster jailed over sexual abuse of young boys
A former Scout leader and housemaster at a children’s home in Nottingham has been jailed for 26 years after a jury found him guilty of historic sexual abuse. Steven McNally, now aged 67, abused five children between 1974 and 1979 when he worked at Nazareth House...
Former verger jailed for teenager sexual assaults in Hampshire and Southwark
A former cathedral verger has been jailed for sexually assaulting two teenage boys. Clive McCleester, 77, was sentenced to 16 years on Thursday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of sexual abuse. The first victim was assaulted between 1969 and 1970, when McCleester...
Former verger jailed for teenager sexual assaults in Hampshire and Southwark
A former cathedral verger has been jailed for sexually assaulting two teenage boys. Clive McCleester, 77, was sentenced to 16 years on Thursday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of sexual abuse. The first victim was assaulted between 1969 and 1970, when McCleester...
Church of England to set up £150m fund for Redress Scheme
A £150 million fund is being set up for victims of church-related abuse, the Church of England has announced. The Church said it is “truly sorry for its past failings relating to safeguarding” as proposed details for its national redress scheme for survivors were...
Choirmaster who sexually abused 14 boys at churches in Greater Manchester and Cheshire is jailed
A former choirmaster who 50 years ago sexually abused 14 boys at churches across the North West has finally been jailed. Richard Owen, also known as Franklyn Stanowski, met the children after they joined the choir at churches in Winsford, Knutsford...
Horsham catholic priest Anthony White jailed for child sex abuse
Father Anthony White, 64, from Cross-in-Hand, East Sussex, plied the boy with drink before raping him after he visited his house, Sussex Police said. Tao Qazi, White's victim, told the BBC he has struggled to find happiness since the attack and cannot understand why...
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