Malta Star [Malta]
April 24, 2007
http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msfullart.asp?an=11609
A vicar of the Church of England, Rev David Smith, who is in court proceedings charged with sexual abuse of young boys, had entertained one of his victims on holiday in Malta, the Bristol Crown Court was told.
One of the victims who was allegedly abused from the age of 12 tried to break off contact with Rev Smith after he took him on holiday to Malta, foreign press reported. The court was told that Reverend Smith pestered him with letters and phone calls begging to see him.
In Court, the Church of England was accused that the vicar continued to abuse boys because it failed to act effectively on two separate warnings.
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| Vicar Smith, allegedly entertained abused victim in Malta |
Mr David Smith was first accused of sexually abusing boys in the 1980s. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted three more boys between January 1998 and April 2005.
The Reverend, who is 52-years old, denied 14 charges of sexual assault and indecency against seven boys between 1976 to May 2005.
When his behaviour was drawn to the attention of the Church, Mr Smith was only moved from one parish to another. His behaviour was also reported by another former victim who recognised Mr Smith while giving comment on television about the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. The Church did not take action with the result that he allegedly went on abusing another boy.
The Bristol Crown Court was told that Mr Smith began abusing children during the 1970s while he was employed as an assistant housemaster at the prep school in Berkshire. He is alleged to have indecently assaulted two 13-year old boys there. After his ordination in 1979 he was appointed assistant curate at a church in Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, where he is accused of assaulting another teenager.
The prosecution revealed a number of letters that the reverend sent to the allegedly abused boys. One read: "I've been left feeling like a much-loved pet that no longer gets fed or walked because you have found other interests."
Another letter read: "Obviously the centre of your universe has moved away from a middle-aged vicar to a 19-year old nubile girl and who could blame you for that?"
The prosecution told the court that DNA evidence from two of the young boys was found on cushions in Mr Smith's house after police arrested him in October 2005. The alleged abuse came to light when the last of Mr Smith's alleged victims, who wanted to become a priest and saw him as a mentor, confided in a female parishioner. Police then used church records to trace other victims, including one who is now a serving police officer.
Mr Smith has been suspended from duty by the diocese of Bath and Wells. The trial continues.
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