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	Diocese Launches Review after Vicar Is Jailed By Michael Brown Religious Intelligence October 23, 2009 http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=5180 An English diocese has launched a review of the records of all its clergy following the jailing of a "wicked" vicar for the rape of boys. Diocese launches review after vicar is jailed The review by the Bradford diocese will also look at licensed lay readers and youth workers in its patch in a bid to uncover any "causes for concern". The diocese in addition intends to submit the findings of the review to an independent body or responsible individual to see whether any lessons can be learned to improve the care of children in its charge. The moves follow the jailing for 14 years at Bradford Crown Court last Friday of Peter Hedge, 47, who was found guilty of the rape of two young boys and a catalogue of sex abuse against other youngsters. Hedge, since 1997 vicar of Queensbury, Bradford, carried out the "calculated and systematic" abuse while he was the vicar and earlier when he was curate at St Margaret's, Thornbury, Bradford. During his trial the jury heard evidence that he gave youngsters cash to buy cannabis and later gave them money to secure their silence. Judge Peter Benson said Hedge had brought disgrace on the church and branded him one of the most manipulative individuals he had come across. The judge said Hedge had abused the trust placed in him in the most "cynical and corrupt fashion" and his offending had undermined the respect for other decent and respectable members of the church. Judge Benson said: "As a result of your conduct - which really defies description in its wickedness - you not only robbed these young men of their childhood, but it is clear from the evidence that I heard that you scarred their young lives." In 1997 one of the boys reported Hedge's assault on him to the police and although Hedge was questioned he was never charged. Hedge was suspended from his post at the Queensbury church when the allegations came to light two years ago. He stood emotionless in the dock as the jury returned unanimous verdicts. Sentencing him, the judge said: "It is a measure of your audacity and your confidence in your ability to manipulate others that, despite being arrested in 1997, you continued abusing young boys thereafter." Hedge denied two charges of rape and several other sexual assault allegations, claiming that the victims were motivated by hopes of compensation. He claimed that since the incident in 1997 he had never been alone with a child. Peter Andrew Hedge, who trained for the priesthood at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, was ordained in 1993. The court was told that, originally from Rotherham, he had won a place at Oxford to study chemistry but dropped out in the early 1980s. He ended up sleeping rough at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire and became involved in volunteer work in the Keighley area. Contact our Europe Desk Sign up for our free weekly Newsletters: The Security Newsletter is a detailed analysis of ongoing conflict around the world. The Newslist Newsletter is a round-up of the 10 main stories appearing on the site during the previous week. To subscribe to the Security Newsletter, please click here: info@religiousintelligence.com To subscribe to the Newslist Newsletter, please click here: info@religiousintelligence.com
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