Bishop Killed Himself after Being Accused of Child Sex Abuse

By Neil_Shaw
Devon Live
July 5, 2017

http://www.devonlive.com/bishop-killed-himself-after-being-accused-of-child-sex-abuse/story-30425159-detail/story.html

Bishop killed himself after being accused of child sex abuse

The case of a Mormon elder who killed himself after being accused of child abuse has been closed formally by a Judge. Stewart Allsford took his own life by jumping off Berry Head at Brixham half way through a trial at Exeter Crown Court where he was accused of sexually assaulting two girls.

The case was closed formally by Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, after a death certificate was supplied by police. An inquest will be held later. Allsford left home at 5am on the third day of his trial in June and his car was found close to the cliff edge at Berry Head, near Brixham later that morning.

The 66-year-old, of Davies Avenue, Paignton, was on trial after denying four counts of indecent assault, one of assault by penetration and one of abducting a child under 16. The alleged abuse took place during the 1990s at a time when he was in charge of a congregation of the Church of Latter Day Saints in Torbay, holding the title of Bishop.

He had admitted indecently assaulting one of the victims, but said it had only happened when she was 14. She told the jury she was younger. Allsford's body was found on Seaton beach in East Devon on June 10, three days after he disappeared on June 7. It was carried across Lyme Bay the tidal stream and gale force South Westerly winds.

Recorder Mr Donald Tait discharged the jury at the trial and explained it was feared Allsford had taken his own life. At that stage he said he was listed as missing and efforts were being made to find him. The police inquiry was launched after one of the victims, now an adult, was prompted to come forward by her boyfriend after he found part of her childhood diaries.

The entry referred to being kissed by touched by Allsford. The victim had tried to bury her memories of the abuse but was persuaded to reveal the truth. Police inquiries uncovered another girl who made similar complaints and allegations that he had driven a third girl off in his car without the permission of her parents or guardians.