Ipswich/hadleigh: Priest Admits Indecently Assaulting Youths

By Colin Adwent
Eadt 24
October 17, 2012

www.eadt.co.uk/news/ipswich_hadleigh_priest_admits_indecently_assaulting_youths_1_1659226

Haley Dossor at Ipswich Crown Court

A 71-year-old retired priest has admitted six indecent assaults on two youths dating back to the 1990s.

Father John Haley Dossor, of Kirton, near Felixstowe, denied a further eight indecent assaults – including one on a third male, and another charge of sexual assault by touching.

Dossor's pleas were accepted by the prosecution today when he appeared before Judge David Goodin at Ipswich Crown Court.

Three of the assaults Dossor pleaded guilty to were on a victim aged between 13 and 15.

All 15 of the allegations relate to the period between October 1990 and December 2004.

The nine charges Dossor denied will now lay on file.

Sentencing has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Because Dossor was known to the crown court for his work with the church previously it is likely to take place at Norwich Crown Court.

A date has not yet been set, however, it will not be before November 12.

The Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, issued an apology to those affected.

"I offer unreserved regret and apologies to all those affected by this matter.

"Clergy hold a position of trust and whenever such trust is broken it is widely felt, most of all by those who have been directly affected.

"The church has learnt much over the years and has in place very high standards of safeguarding in this diocese, which I am sure both the police and the local authority will endorse.

"Whilst these events took place a long time ago it is only right that the church should acknowledge the broken trust and offer sincere and deep apologies."

Dossor officially retired as priest-in-charge at St Mary at the Elms in Elm Street, Ipswich, in January 2007.

He was a well-known figure in the town, who had prominent links with the business community.

Dossor's first parish was at Shelley near Hadleigh, where he formed part of a ministry from 1990 to 2001.

Before becoming a clergyman Dossor worked in the silk manufacturing industry.