The Herald
August 25, 2009
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Vicar-charged-child-sex-offences/article-1284080-detail/article.html
 |
| Reverend Canon James Andrew Christopher Wilson, the Rector and Rural Dean of Calstock |
A VICAR who used to be a primary school teacher has been charged with six offences of indecency to girls under the age of 13 in Plymouth.
The Reverend Canon James Andrew Christopher Wilson, the Rector and Rural Dean of Calstock, was charged with six offences on girls under 13, at Charles Cross Police Station for offences that allegedly took place in the Pennycross area in 1977 and 1978, police said.
It is believed some of the alleged victims were as young as eight-years-old.
The 60-year-old Rector had not been ordained at the time of the alleged offences, which are being investigated by the Sex Offences Investigations Team.
The alleged offences occurred when Mr Wilson was a teacher at Pennycross Primary School between 1970 and 1987. He was ordained in 1987.
The team started investigations in May this year after an alleged victim came forward.
Police have interviewed six alleged victims who are all now adults, which resulted in the charges.
Police are urging members of the public with information to come forward.
Police said Reverend Wilson is not exercising any further ministry until the police investigation has been resolved.
They added that the diocese of which he is a member is co-operating fully.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Truro said: “The alleged incidents occurred at a time before he was ordained as a priest. He will not be exercising any further ministry until a time when the police investigation – of which of course the diocese is co-operating fully - is complete. But it is important (to note) that the things that are alleged to happen did not happen when he was a vicar.”
Wilson has been released on police bail to appear before Plymouth Magistrates on September 16, 2009.
Anyone who has any information relating to this inquiry or has any issues regarding this incident is asked to call Plymouth Police Sexual Offences Investigation Team on 01752 720588 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.