Church denies cover-up over paedophile choirmaster who continued teaching boys

[Ian David]

The Church of England denied a cover-up on Thursday over an ex-choirmaster who was reported to a local vicar and bishop for child abuse but continued to work with young boys for a further 16 years.

Peter Halliday, 61, from Farnborough, Hampshire, abused the three boys who were in his church choir between 1985 and 1990.

He pleaded guilty to 10 counts of indecent assault at an earlier hearing and was jailed at Winchester Crown Court today.

Judge Ian Pearson said that Halliday had systematically sexually abused the boys and said the offences were so serious only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

He also banned married Halliday from working with children for life and told him that he would be put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and ordered him to pay £2,000 each compensation to his victims.

Halliday carried on working with children for years despite being accused of abuse.

More:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23393959-details/Child+abusing+choirmaster+continued+to+teach+young+boys/article.do


See also:


Church accused of abuse cover-up

The Church of England has been accused of covering up child sex abuse carried out by a former choirmaster.

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Halliday continued to work with young boys, as a singer with the Royal School of Church Music, which said the child abuse was "entirely unconnected" with the school.

It was only when Halliday was charged last year with indecently assaulting children that he gave up his work with the school.

Church of England national safeguarding adviser, the Reverend Pearl Luxon, who is responsible for child protection issues, said the Church had "robust policies in place" to deal with child abuse.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6594439.stm

[malaise]

1. I have come to the conclusion that

preying on people's children is the only praying going on in churches.