Vicar Who Was Official Chaplain to the British Olympic Team Sexually Assaulted Girl, 15

Telegraph
June 3, 2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/03/vicar-who-was-official-chaplain-to-the-british-olympic-team-sexu/

Kevin McGarahan was convicted of abusing the teenager at his home between 1992 and 1996 CREDIT: FACEBOOK

vicar who was the official chaplain for the British Olympic team sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl before the case was covered up by the Church for 20 years, a court heard.

Kevin McGarahan, who has also attended Remembrance Day services alongside the Prime Minister, was convicted of abusing the teenager at his home between 1992 and 1996.

A court heard the 64-year-old invited the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, into his home and quizzed her about her experience with boys before offering to teach her how to slow dance.

McGarahan, who was known as 'Rev Kev', then held her hips and forced his tongue into her mouth at the property in Telford, Shropshire.

She claimed the clergyman also told her he could rape her if he wanted to before saying that "nobody would ever know".

The retired vicar, who accompanied athletes to three Olympic Games, went on trial last month and was found guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, today. McGarahan, who now lives in Cornwall, was also ordered to pay ?2,000 compensation to the victim.

After the case Jonathan Kelleher, senior prosecutor from the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: "Kevin McGarahan abused his position of trust to prey on a young and vulnerable teenage for his own sexual gratification.

"He lured her to his home under a false pretence and when he had her on her own, indecently assaulted her.

"For over 20 years the victim has had to live through what he had done to her and for over 20 years McGarahan had thought he had got away with his crime.

"Today, justice has finally caught up with McGarahan and he will now have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

"I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the victim for supporting the prosecution process, the police for their professional investigation and helping us bring this offender to justice."

McGarahan was the vicar of Woodside Church in the Madeley parish in Telford, which is covered by the Diocese of Hereford, between 1992 and 1996.

In 1995, the victim met an American exchange student through the church and was invited by McGarahan to his home to say goodbye before he returned home.

When the teenager arrived at McGarahan's home, she was informed that the student had to leave. She was invited to stay for a hot drink before he indecently assaulted her.

Jurors heard the victim, who is now aged 35, made a complaint to church officials days after the alleged indecent assault in July 1995.

But police were not informed and the girl's written statement was filed away in a cupboard.

McGarahan was arrested in 2014 when a new safeguarding officer appointed at the Diocese of Hereford came across the file.

The Bishop of Hereford, Richard Frith, added: "The Diocese of Hereford is committed to doing everything it can to ensure our churches are safe places to be.

"A case like this is reminder of our need to be scrupulous in our safeguarding and we intend always to be that scrupulous."

A spokesman for the NSPCC said: "McGarahan used his position of trust and authority at the church to assault a teenage girl who had merely gone to him for help.

"He went on to enjoy a distinguished career after carrying out this vile assault - but this case shows that action can be taken no matter how many years have passed."