UNITED KINGDOM
Western Daily Press
A clergyman who was recently acquitted of four counts of sexual assault has thanked the community for their “incredible” support during the past 18 months.
At a hearing on Wednesday, January 6, at Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge Roberts ordered that a not guilty verdict should be entered after the prosecution offered no evidence in the case of Roy Catchpole, 69, of Milborne Port.
A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “We had to offer no evidence as we were not going to pursue with a prosecution and in order to end the proceedings.”
Following the not guilty order, Mr Catchpole expressed his relief that the ordeal of the past 18 months was now over.
He said: “Throughout the process I have been aware that the wider public in Sherborne and surrounding area have been incredibly supportive. I have been nobly served by barristers whose energies have been directed to getting at the truth and delivering justice.
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