Northampton Chronicle and Echo
January 11, 2008
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Exvicar-accused-of-sexually-abusing.3663184.jp
A retired vicar, who administered for the Church of England in Northamptonshire, faces a trial in the summer accused of sexually abusing three youths more than 20 years ago.
The Rev Colin Pritchard, aged 63, who was a curate in Duston until 1980 and in charge of St Andrew's Church, Wellingborough, until 1989, appeared at Northampton Crown Court.
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| Colin Pritchard |
Originally charged with a single offence of conspiracy to commit indecent assaults, he now faces nine substantive allegations against three boys, who cannot be named by law.
The unmarried former vicar, now of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy to commit indecent assaults with Roy Cotton, who has since died, four indecent assaults on a young boy, three indecencies with a child and an attempted serious sexual assault between December 1979 and November 1983.
The court had previously heard the allegations surfaced when a former member of the church confided with his vicar in Northampton about concerns over sending his children to a church-run school, making disclosures about alleged abuse at the hands of Pritchard.
The rector encouraged him to contact the police and then took him to Weston Favell
police station to talk to officers.
Two further complainants came forward once officers sent out letters to parishioners with one man making allegations about Cotton, another Anglican rector who died in 2006.
Anne Cotcher QC, prosecuting, told Judge Christopher Metcalf that the three boys were all aged under 16 at the time but were now in their 40s, and would be giving evidence at an eight-day trial in July.
Judge Metcalf said: "If you fail to turn up to your trial, you will be committing an offence punishable with imprisonment and it is important you keep in touch with your solicitors."
Pritchard, who retired on health grounds in 2006, had his permission to officiate within the Church of England suspended when the allegations came to light.
The judge released him on conditional bail to stay each night at his home and that he has no contact with children, unless they are supervised by a parent or guardian.
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