Sex abuse case priest Vickery House admits sexual advances

BBC News
October 21, 2015

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34587431

Vickery House denies eight charges of indecent assault against six males aged 15 to 34, between 1970 and 1986

A retired Church of England priest from West Sussex has admitted making sexual advances towards four of his alleged male victims but not the two youngest.

Vickery House, who faces indecent assault, denied any inappropriate contact with two teenage boys.

He told the Old Bailey he was ashamed of his actions in the 1970s and 80s, but said they were not sexual assaults.

Mr House, 69, denies eight charges of indecent assault against six males aged 15 to 34, between 1970 and 1986.

He told the jury he had lied in the past about sexual advances he had made to other men because he thought it was the best way to protect his wife and children.

Giving evidence for a second day, Mr House, of Brighton Road, Handcross, said he had made a pass at four men he knew through the church - first in Devon and then in Sussex, but he thought the men would be open to his advances.

He told the court he was ashamed when he realised he was wrong.

In cross examination, prosecutor Jake Hallam said Mr House had taken advantage of his position.

"The reason you did what you did is because what mattered to you is your own gratification," Mr Hallam said.

Mr House answered: "It was because I hoped it would be reciprocated."

Mr Hallam then asked him: "Was it that you thought 'I'm in a position where I'm trusted and respected. I'm going to try my luck and I don't really care about what they think'?"

Mr House replied: "I cared very much about what they thought."

Questioned about whether he had not told the truth, the retired priest told the jury: "I have told you the truth, painfully."

The trial continues.