Priest Who Sexually Abused Kids at Children's Home Bids for Early Release from Prison

Crawley News
March 4, 2014

http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Sex-fiend-priest-bids-early-release/story-20700892-detail/story.html

Bid For Freedom: Gordon Rideout

A FORMER priest jailed for ten years for historic sexual abuse at an Ifield children's home is reported to have applied for an early release from prison on compassionate grounds, because of ill health.

Gordon Rideout abused boys and girls as young as five at Ifield Hall, a Barnado's children's home which has since been demolished.

It was during his time as assistant curate at St Mary's Church, in Southgate, between 1962 and 1965, that he would visit the home and carry out the abuse.

It is understood Rideout, 74, was released from prison to go to hospital on a temporary licence.

He was returned to jail but is believed to have then applied to be released permanently.

The reason for his stay in hospital is not known.

Rideout, from Polegate in East Sussex, was found guilty of 34 indecent assaults and two attempted rapes last May. All of the crimes, apart from four indecent assaults on two girls at an army base in Hampshire, were committed at the home.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman told the Crawley News that the Government department could not discuss individual applications for compassionate release and that medical details of inmates were confidential.

She added: "Compassionate release is only granted in exceptional circumstances and is subject to very strict criteria – the primary consideration being that it will not put the public at risk."

The spokeswoman said that an application for release on compassionate grounds could be granted if a prisoner had a terminal illness and was likely to die soon, or if a prisoner was bedridden or severely incapacitated.