|
Victim of paedophile vicar tragically died before he could see justice served
By Luke Traynor
The victim's complaint to police took the case to court which today saw Rev John Roberts found guilty of abusing children in the 1980s A former vicar who indecently assaulted a choirboy in the 1980s was today found guilty of abusing more children. Rev John Roberts, who was based at St Peter’s Church in Woolton, until his retirement in 2013 was found guilty by a jury of nine more counts of indecent and sexual assault. It relates to three different victims, all children, and abuse committed in the 1980s. Now 86, Roberts was allowed to carry on working for 24 years despite his 1980s conviction. And tragically, one of his victims whose complaint to police took the case to court, died recently and didn't get the chance to see justice delivered. Richard Scorer, a specialist abuse lawyer at Slater and Gordon who represents one victim in the most recent trial, told the ECHO: “Roberts continued his life in the church for far too long after he had abused his victims - and after he was a convicted paedophile. "He was even promoted to Canon and allowed a public role while his victims went unheard. "A tragic aspect of the most recent trial at Liverpool Crown Court is that my client didn’t live to see justice done. "He sadly passed away shortly before trial but we are grateful to the jury for considering the offences perpetrated against him and Roberts has finally been held to account for his crimes.” Roberts was convicted of nine counts, eight charges of indecent assault against boys, aged under 16, and under 14. The last guilty count was sexual assault of a child. Today, Roberts was convicted of nine counts, eight charges of indecent assault against boys, aged under 16, and under 14. The last guilty count was sexual assault of a child. The former vicar, of Cherry Vale, Woolton, will be sentenced next week. He was remanded in custody today. In 2017, the Church of England was forced to issue an apology for not ordering Roberts was defrocked following his conviction in 1989. Instead, he was eventually promoted to the position of Canon. That followed a small fine at court for two counts of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy. The victim in that case took legal action against the Church of England for personal injury caused as a result of the abuse suffered. The Diocese of Liverpool, who said they were aware of Roberts’ conviction, said he was not kept on to officiate or conduct duties as a priest. The victim met Roberts when he joined the choir at St Peter’s Church. He said Roberts gained his trust, lavished him with gifts, helped him to get into a better school and paid for him to go away on a ski trip. Police were eventually called in after the boy told another adult.
|
.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.