BREAKING NEWS: Rideout sentenced to 10 years in jail for ‘systematic’ child abuse

 

Tuesday 21 May 2013

From the link: http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/breaking-news-rideout-sentenced-to-10-years-in-jail-for-systematic-child-abuse-1-5108977

CANNON GORDON RIDEOUT ARRIVES AT HAYWARDS HEATH MAGISTRATES COURT TODAY 16/7/12 A retired Church of England priest from East Sussex has been charged with committing 38 sexual offences against 18 children and young teenagers. Canon Gordon Rideout, 73, of Filching Close, Wannock, is alleged to have committed the offences between 1962 and 1973 in Crawley, London and Hampshire. He was arrested at his home in March following a nine-month investigation and charged on Wednesday night. He will appear before Mid Sussex magistrates on 16 July. A total of 36 of the 38 alleged offences are of indecent assault on girls and boys in their early teens, Sussex Police said. Of those, 31 are alleged to have been committed at a property in Crawley, West Sussex, and one in Barkingside, east London, between 1962 and 1968. A further four indecent assaults are alleged to have taken place in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, between 1971 and 1973. The other two allegations are of attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl in Crawley

 

A former priest has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the “systematic” sexual abuse of vulnerable children.

Gordon Trevor Rideout was found guilty of two attempted rapes and 34 counts of indecent assault on young boys and girls in care homes over a 10-year period.

The 74-year-old stood motionless in the dock today (Monday) as one of his victims wept uncontrollably as the verdict was read out in Lewes Crown Court.

He hung his head as the jury foreman gave the guilty verdict to 36 of the 37 counts he stood trial for. His Lord Justice Anthony described the evidence against Rideout as “clear and compelling”.

Judge Anthony said, “It is wholly clear the custodial threshold has been passed. It was a gross breach of trust.

“On the balance it seems quite clear to me the regime [in the care home] was harsh by today’s standards. Children were routinely not believed and particularly if the allegation was made against a clergyman and no doubt you were well aware of this and took full advantage of this.

“You groomed many of the children where any attention would have seemed something to cherish, nut it is plain to me your sole aim was to abuse them sexually for your own gratification.

“Using your position in authority you took full advantage of the system and acted toward them in a way which has affected to a great amount over the next 40 years of their lives and maybe until they die.”

The jury took 16 hours to find Rideout, of Filching Close, Polegate, guilty of his crimes which date back to his time as curate and chaplain visiting troubled children at care homes.

The former Church of England minister is due to be sentenced this afternoon.

Judge Anthony said, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury thank you for your attention over the weeks. And the 16 hours it took for you to come to a verdict shows you approached it carefully.

“In all but one count you found the evidence clear and compelling.”

Nigel Pilkington, Head of the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit, said, “As an assistant curate and then chaplain, Gordon Rideout was in a position of trust, which he systemically abused, indecently assaulting the vulnerable youngsters that he met over a number of years.

“He was able to wander through [the care home] and the gardens, even visiting children when they were sick and alone in bed. One victim recalled how the children would hide under their covers when he came into their dormitories.

“A number of his victims attempted to speak out about what Rideout was doing, but tragically at the time of the offences, a child’s word was not believed.

“Those who were brave enough to say anything were subjected to brutal beatings. Some of his victims told police in interviews that it simply ‘wasn’t worth complaining’ because of the punishment they would receive in return.”

BREAKING NEWS: Former vicar Rideout found guilty of child sex abuse

Published on 20/05/2013 13:29

From the link: http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/breaking-news-former-vicar-rideout-found-guilty-of-child-sex-abuse-1-5108620

Former priest Gordon Rideout has been found guilty of 36 out of the 37 child sex abuse charges he was on trial for – including two of attempted rape.

The jury returned to Lewes Crown Court this lunchtime (Monday, May 20) after spending three days considering their verdicts. He was found guilty of abusing boys and girls as young as five between 1962 and 1973.

Rideout was the assistant curate at St. Mary’s Church in Southgate, Crawley from September 1962 to September 1965 and during that time, he would regularly visit a Barnardo’s children’s home, Ifield Hall, which has since been demolished.

The majority of the offences took place there, although he was also convicted of four charges of indecent assault on two girls at the Middle Wallop army base.

Nigel Pilkington, Head of the CPS South East Complex Casework Unit, said, “As an assistant curate and then chaplain, Gordon Rideout was in a position of trust, which he systemically abused, indecently assaulting the vulnerable youngsters that he met over a number of years. He was able to wander through Ifield Hall and the gardens, even visiting children when they were sick and alone in bed. One victim recalled how the children would hide under their covers when he came into their dormitories.

“A number of his victims attempted to speak out about what Rideout was doing, but tragically at the time of the offences, a child’s word was not believed. Those who were brave enough to say anything were subjected to brutal beatings. Some of his victims told police in interviews that it simply ‘wasn’t worth complaining’ because of the punishment they would receive in return.

“Instead the victims hid what happened to them for many years and none of us can begin to imagine the impact that has had on their lives. I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and the fortitude of the victims in coming forward to give evidence. Those who heard the evidence they gave at court will have realised how difficult this has been for them. They may not have been believed as children, but today they finally have been. I hope that helps to give them closure.

“I would like to thank Barnardo’s for the role they played in helping to bring this case to trial.”

Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South East, Roger Coe-Salazar, said: “This case is an example of how the CPS successfully prosecutes cases of child sexual abuse and should serve as a warning to those who think they can abuse children with impunity. We are exceptionally mindful of how difficult it can be for victims to step forward and place their trust in the authorities many years later, but I hope this case illustrates the support and understanding they will receive from the prosecutors and the police when they do.”

Rideout, 74, of Filching Close, Polegate, will be sentenced later today.