Northampton Chronicle & Echo
October 31, 2007
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Former-vicar-in-sex-case.3429269.jp
A retired vicar who administered for the Church of England in Northamptonshire has been charged with sexual abuse of young boys more than 20 years ago.
Rev Colin Pritchard, aged 63, who was once in charge of St Andrew's Church in Berrymoor Road, Wellingborough, appeared at Northampton Crown Court.
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| Colin Pritchard |
He faces a single allegation of conspiracy to commit indecent assaults with Roy Cotton in Northamptonshire between 1980 and 1990.
Speaking only to confirm his name, the unmarried vicar was not required to formally enter a plea to the single charge during the 20-minute hearing before Judge Charles Wide QC.
Matthew Maynard, prosecuting, said the allegation surfaced when a former member of the church confided with his vicar in Northampton.
He said: "With a young child due to start school, he spoke to his vicar about concerns over sending his child to an Anglican school.
"This complainant made disclosures about alleged abuse at the hands of this defendant. The rector encouraged him to contact the police and the rector himself took him to Weston Favell police station."
The court heard officers then sent out letters to parishioners leading to a second man coming forward to make allegations about Roy Cotton, another Anglican rector who died in 2006.
A third complainant also contacted investigating officers and make allegations of indecent assault against both Pritchard and Cotton. The alleged victims cannot be named for legal reasons.
Pritchard, of St Augustine's Close, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, who retired on health grounds, was released by the judge until a hearing in December on conditional bail of residence and that he has no contact with anyone under the age of 16 years unless they are unaccompanied by a parent of guardian.
Michael Strandling, defending, told the court Pritchard's permission to officiate within the Church of England has been suspended and he not longer works for the church in an official capacity.
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