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	Vicar Accused of Sex Offences Was a Teacher The Herald August 27, 2009 http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Vicar-accused-sex-offences-teacher/article-1287045-detail/article.html POLICE have revealed the vicar charged with six offences of indecency is a former primary school teacher, writes Carl Eve. The Reverend Canon James Andrew Christopher Wilson, above, the Rector and Rural Dean of Calstock, was charged with six offences on girls under the age of 13 on Tuesday evening, as reported in The Herald. The alleged offences date back to the late 1970s when he was a teacher at Pennycross Primary School. He was ordained in 1982 but did not become a full-time priest until 1987, shortly after leaving the teaching profession. Officers from the Sex Offences Investigations Team have interviewed six alleged victims who are all now adults, which resulted in the charges. A spokesman for the Diocese of Truro said yesterday that Mr Wilson would "not be exercising any further ministry until a time when the police investigation – in which, of course, the diocese is co-operating fully – is complete." The spokesman also stressed the alleged incidents "did not happen when he was a vicar". A Plymouth City Council spokesman said: "Plymouth City Council did not have responsibility for education in the 1970s and 80s or employees working in schools at that time – we are therefore not in a position to answer questions relating to this case. "We will, of course, support the police in any way we can during their investigations in accordance with multi-agency child protection procedures." Mr Wilson is currently on police bail and will appear before Plymouth Magistrates on September 16. Police are now appealing for anyone who may have information about the matter or issues regarding the inquiry to contact the Sexual Offences Investigation Team on 01752 720588 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number ED/09/3519.
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