Sex Attack Vicar Sacked - 35 Years Later, by Flora Drury, Worcester Bews, July 20, 2011

Sex Attack Vicar Sacked - 35 Years Later

By Flora Drury
Worcester Bews
July 20, 2011

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9148692.Sex_attack_vicar_sacked___35_years_later/

DISGRACED: David Batson

A WORCESTER man says he felt betrayed after discovering the priest who sexually abused him 35 years ago was still practising.

The victim was assured Rev David Batson would never work for the Church again after he admitted inciting the then 17-year-old to commit an act of gross indecency in 1976.

But an internet search last year revealed the former social worker was still working as a priest for the Scottish Episcopal Church, a role which even allowed him to conduct weddings at Gretna Green.

The Church has now severed all links with Batson, who was put on two years' probation at the time of the offence.

The victim, now aged 52, decidedto look for his attacker attacker after watching the Pope's visit to Britain, during which he apologised to victims of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic church.

He was horrified to discover Batson working part-time for St John's Church, Dumfries.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "It's as if what happened doesn't matter.

"It's had a horrific effect on my life. I cannot have a full relationship with somebody. For that reason, he's ruined my life.

But speaking to a Scottish paper at his home in Dumfries, Batson said: "This was 35 years ago and was all properly dealt with at the time and it is now being brought back up again."

Your Worcester News reported at the time Batson, then a social worker with Malvern Hills District Council, took his victim back to his home in Leigh Sinton before making "sexual advances" to him on the sofa.

The victim, who is legally entitled to anonymity, says he is most upset by the "absolutely glowing" references given to Batson during the trial by both the head of social services and the Dean of Malvern.

A spokesman for the Scottish Episcopal Church said: "The Church has in place appropriate recruitment procedures which are followed in relation to all clergy appointments.

"Mr Batson is no longer in active ministry and has no continuing ministerial role within the Scottish Episcopal Church."

A spokesman for the Diocese of Worcester said it had not had any contact with Batson since he left the ministry.