Wigan Today [United Kingdom]
April 20, 2007
http://www.wigantoday.net/wigan-news?articleid=2718489
A former Wigan clergyman accused of sexually molesting two teenage girls has walked free from court.
The Reverend Russell Tague was found not guilty of six offences of indecent assault following a three-day trial.
Rev Tague was hugged and kissed by weeping friends and relatives as he left court.
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| FREE: Rev Russell Tague leaving court, his name cleared |
It had been claimed that the 47-year-old repeatedly sexually molested one girl when she was aged between 11 and 16 and indecently assaulted the other girl when she was 15.
He had faced another charge of indecently assaulting her when she was 18, but he was cleared of that on Wednesday on the judge's directions.
Rev Tague, of St Mark's Vicarage, Kirkby, Merseyside, denied all the offences and told the jury that he had not touched either girl sexually or inappropriately.
During his trial, Liverpool Crown Court heard the initial offences allegedly took place while he was working as an engineer, and the last one after he was ordained as a a priest.
Charlotte Holland, prosecuting, claimed the offences against the first girl allegedly took place when he lived in the Little Hulton area of Manchester, beginning in the mid-1980s when she was 11 and continuing for five years.
The offence involving the other victim was alleged to have taken place in the autumn of 1994, when he was working as a curate in Astley, Wigan.
The court heard that the offences came to light in 2005.
Rev Tague, who re-married in 2005, told the jury that he had not indecently assaulted either girl.
After he was cleared Rev Tague, who has been suspended since his arrest, said: "We are relieved this nightmare is finally over, that justice has been done and we can get on with our lives again.
"We are disappointed and hurt that these unfounded allegations were made in the first place. We hope they will find peace and happiness in their lives and move on.
"We wish to extend heartfelt thanks to family, friends, the Diocese of Liverpool and the people of St Mark's Church, Kirkby, for their overwhelming love, support and prayers."
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, issued a statement. It read: "We expect the highest standards from all our clergy and take situations like this very seriously indeed.
"As soon as the charges came to light we felt it was in the best interests of all concerned to suspend him from parish duties immediately – at the same time offering pastoral support to him, his family and church in difficult and trying circumstances.
"Russell's work and devotion to those in his care has been of the highest calibre and appreciated by many people over the years.
"We are pleased these allegations are now behind him and that he is once again free to exercise his many gifts in Christian ministry."
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