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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Former rector Stephen Crabtree jailed for abusing girl | Former rector Stephen Crabtree jailed for abusing girl |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A disgraced clergyman who repeatedly sexually abused a 15-year-old girl has been given a three-year jail sentence. | A disgraced clergyman who repeatedly sexually abused a 15-year-old girl has been given a three-year jail sentence. |
| Stephen Crabtree, 59, from Bradford, committed the indecent assaults in East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire between April 1992 and April 1993. | |
| The former Church of England minister had previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court. | |
| The Bishop of Lincoln said: "I am very sorry indeed that it has taken so long for proper justice to be served." | The Bishop of Lincoln said: "I am very sorry indeed that it has taken so long for proper justice to be served." |
| Speaking after the hearing, the Right Reverend Christopher Lowson added, the sentence was a "just and appropriate punishment for the appalling abuse to which he subjected a child". | |
| Other allegations | Other allegations |
| Diocesan safeguarding staff had recently discovered the allegations against Crabtree and immediately passed the information on to Lincolnshire Police, the bishop said. | Diocesan safeguarding staff had recently discovered the allegations against Crabtree and immediately passed the information on to Lincolnshire Police, the bishop said. |
| The Church would offer support to anyone who contacts it about issues of harm and abuse and pass all information to the police, he added. | The Church would offer support to anyone who contacts it about issues of harm and abuse and pass all information to the police, he added. |
| Crabtree, who served as minister in a number of parishes and was rector of Washingborough and Heighington in Lincolnshire between 2002 and 2014, is no longer a practicing clergyman. | |
| Det Supt Rick Hatton, of Lincolnshire Police, said Crabtree's "betrayal of trust had a profound effect upon the victim". | Det Supt Rick Hatton, of Lincolnshire Police, said Crabtree's "betrayal of trust had a profound effect upon the victim". |
| "It has taken great courage and a period of time for this abuse to come out." | "It has taken great courage and a period of time for this abuse to come out." |
| He said police were currently working in partnership with the diocese to investigate "a number of allegations of non-recent abuse". | He said police were currently working in partnership with the diocese to investigate "a number of allegations of non-recent abuse". |
| He added: "These investigations have come about due to a detailed file review carried out by the diocese and a desire to ensure truth and justice for all past victims of abuse. | He added: "These investigations have come about due to a detailed file review carried out by the diocese and a desire to ensure truth and justice for all past victims of abuse. |
| "The sentencing of the Rev Stephen Crabtree is as a result of this investigation." | "The sentencing of the Rev Stephen Crabtree is as a result of this investigation." |
| The current operation investigating claims of historical abuse has the "full support" of the bishop, Det Supt Hatton said. | The current operation investigating claims of historical abuse has the "full support" of the bishop, Det Supt Hatton said. |
| Crabtree, of Ollerdale Avenue, admitted six counts of indecent assault, at a hearing on 4 March. | Crabtree, of Ollerdale Avenue, admitted six counts of indecent assault, at a hearing on 4 March. |