Priest at Baldock Church in Porn Scandal Stepped down from School Role during Investigation

Hertfordshire Mercury
March 2, 2017

http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/priest-at-baldock-church-in-porn-scandal-stepped-down-from-school-role-during-investigation/story-30175244-detail/story.html

St Mary's Church in Baldock was investigated by Diocese of St Albans and the police after an administrator used a computer to view pornographic images

The priest of a Baldock church embroiled in scandal voluntarily stepped down from his role in a school while an investigation took place.

Reverend Andrew Holford, rector of St Mary's Church, chose to stop working with St Mary's Junior School while the Diocese of St Albans investigated the misuse of a church computer.

The computer had been used to view pornographic images, which according to accusations included indecent images of children, although an on-going police investigation has found no evidence of this.

Pat Jenkins, head teacher of the school, said: "The Rector of St Mary's voluntarily stepped aside from his ministry work in our school while the Diocese of St Albans conducted an investigation into events which took place at St Mary's Church in 2010.

"That investigation has now concluded and, as a result of the findings, it has been agreed that Revd Holford will return to his work at our school.

"We have full confidence in the work that he does within our school."

ALSO READ: Baldock priest admits to destroying hard drive which allegedly contained child abuse images

St Mary's Church was investigated for a breach of safeguarding after Mr Holford admitted to destroying the hard drive of a church computer which was used to view pornographic images.

The images were viewed by the church's administrator who says he accidentally came across them while looking for medical information.

The hard drive of a second computer was also destroyed.

The Diocese of St Albans investigation found that volunteers at St Mary's Church chose to act on the incident themselves instead of following established safeguarding protocols.

There had been allegations that the images featured indecent images of children and this has resulted in Hertfordshire Constabulary launching an investigation.

A specialist police team used advanced techniques to piece together information from the remains of the destroyed hard drive.

A police spokeswoman said: "Following extensive enquiries, which have involved officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Child Online Safeguarding Team, we have found no evidence of any crimes relating to the use of the computer at St Mary's Church in 2010.

"The Diocese of St Albans has now requested that we examine the church's current computer. Work in relation to this is on-going."