Suffolk: Administrative Problems Delay Sentencing of Former Priest Who Sexually Assaulted Boys

EADT 24
November 16, 2012

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk_administrative_problems_delay_sentencing_of_former_priest_who_sexually_assaulted_boys_1_1695522

Haley Dosser

Father John Haley Dossor had been due to receive his punishment after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to six indecent assaults against two boys aged between 13 and 17.

The 71-year-old, of Kirton, near Felixstowe, had denied a further nine charges relating to attacks on men and boys and they will remain on file.

But the hearing at Norwich Crown Court could not take place.

Dossor will be sentenced at a date yet to be confirmed.

Dossor, known as Haley, retired as priest-in-charge at St Mary at the Elms in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2007.

Speaking outside court, the Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, said: “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.”