Abuse arrest of London priest: The Church of England Newspaper, June 10, 2011 p 7. June 9, 2011
Posted by geoconger in Abuse, Church of England, Church of England Newspaper.trackback
First published in The Church of England Newspaper.
An East London clergyman has been arrested on suspicion of corrupting the morals of a child.
On May 23 Scotland Yard detectives arrested the Rev. Christopher Hanson, vicar of the Church of the Ascension, Victoria Docks, London in the Diocese of Chelmsford for crimes allegedly committed while he served as team vicar in the Benefice of Langley Marish near Slough. In 2008 Mr. Hanson left Langely Marish after 11 years of service to take up his current post.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police stated the 63 year old vicar had “been arrested on suspicion of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity as part of an investigation being carried out by Thames Valley Police.”
The “investigation was launched” by Thames Valley Police, “following an allegation of an historic offence committed in the east Berkshire area,” the spokesman said.
The Bishop of Chelmsford has suspended Mr. Hanson from his clerical duties, but the action as been taken “without prejudice,” a diocesan spokesman said, as the “Church of England follows established policies and procedures and training programmes in child protection.”
The diocese was “holding all those who may be affected by the situation in our prayers and are providing pastoral care” to Mr. Hanson and his parish.
Mr. Hanson has been released on bail until June 29, when he will appear before a magistrate.
