By Paul Robinson
Calverley Today
October 7, 2009
http://www.calverleytoday.co.uk/4134/Peter-Hedge-Boy-rape-charge.5709781.jp
A vicar from Pudsey has gone on trial accused of raping two boys and sexually abusing four other youngsters.
Peter Hedge, 47, of Chatsworth Road, faces three charges of rape and 33 allegations of indecent assault over an eight-year period.
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| Peter Hedge |
Hedge has denied the charges against him.
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The allegations relate to his time as a curate at St Margaret's Church, in Thornbury, Bradford, and later as vicar of Holy Trinity Church, in Queensbury, also Bradford.
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Prosecutor Sophie Drake told a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday that he had abused his position in the community to prey on the youngsters during the 1990s. She alleged that the churchman gave money to some of the boys, in a bid either to control them or keep them quiet.
"The Crown's case is that they trusted him and the Crown says his abuse was a gross breach of that trust," said Miss Drake.
The jury heard that in 1997 one of the boys alleged to have been abused had reported an incident to the police. Hedge was arrested but never charged.
Miss Drake told the court the defendant smoked cannabis and would allow boys to use the drug at his home.
She said Hedge gave one alleged rape victim money to buy cannabis – and even provided him with cash to pay off a drug debt.
After one of the alleged rapes, Hedge is said to have given the boy £50. It is claimed one youngster asked for money from Hedge to stop him making a report to the authorities.
Miss Drake said the defendant denied any sexual activity with the boys when questioned by police.
"He denied that anything of a sexual nature had happened between them," said Miss Drake.
The trial is expected to last about 10 days.
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