Operation Redstone - Lincolnshire
Operation Whistle - Jersey
Sick, sick couple - Northhamptonshire
Elvis impersonator - Cornwall
Arrests after historic child sex abuse allegations at Lincolnshire churches
By Paul Whitelam, Lincolnshire Live
Arrests have been made following a number of allegations of historic sexual abuse of children at a group of Lincolnshire churches
Lincolnshire Police has confirmed a number of people have been bailed pending further enquiries as part of an investigation called Operation Redstone.
This was launched following "a number of concerns" being referred to the force in 2015 after a review of past safeguarding cases by the Diocese of Lincoln dating back to 1958.
As a result, Stephen Crabtree, right, who served as the rector of Washingborough and Heighington until 2014, was jailed for three years in March this year after admitting six counts of indecent assault on a 15-year-old girl between April 1992 and April 1993.
Lincolshire Police confirmed in September that it was looking into historic abuse claims surrounding the Cathedral School in Lincoln, which educated the minster's choristers and was amalgamated with others in 1996 to become Lincoln Minster School.
Operation Redstone covers all areas of the Diocese of Lincoln but neither officials there or Lincolnshire Police will give specific details about the number of arrests or the number of alleged victims, citing operational reasons.
However, a charity which supports historic victims of child abuse believes that giving such detail could prompt more alleged victims to come forward, as has happened in the youth football abuse scandal.
Peter Saunders, founder of The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), said: "Our priority is always to support the victims and we would want to avoid anything that would hamper any potential prosecutions.
"Victims do deserve some semblance of justice and if the perpetrators are still alive there's some hope.
"But I think it would be helpful for the Diocese of Lincoln and Lincolnshire Police to release details of the number of arrests and the number of complaints in this investigation in a considered and appropriate manner.
"This could give other alleged victims the confidence to come forward.
"I have personally spoken to a number of Jimmy Savile's victims who say: 'If only we had known there were others I'd have come forward'."
Lincolnshire, UK
Couple sentenced to total of 40 years for
sex abuse against children
Photo: Northants Police
A couple from Northamptonshire have been handed jail terms totalling more than 40 years for a sustained campaign of sexual abuse against children.
Gavin Kennedy, 40, was sentenced to 22 years while his partner, 32-year-old Jessica Stone, received 20 years. Both defendants were given a further extended sentence which means they will be on licence for a total of eight years each after their release.
The pair, from Desborough, were found guilty of 18 charges relating to child sex abuse following a week-long trial at Northampton Crown Court in October.
During the trial, prosecutor Nicola Moore said Kennedy had been the initial instigator for the acts, which sprang from a taste in extreme pornography.
Ms Moore told the court that Kennedy possessed a “voracious sexual appetite” and searched for pornography using phrases such as “barely legal”, “very young girls” and “jailbait” - a coarse term referring to children under the age of sexual consent.
The couple were charged with three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of child, aiding and abetting the rape of a child under 13 by a male and aiding and abetting the rape of a child under 13. They were also convicted of two further counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and one of cruelty to a child.
I am very pleased at the length of the sentence handed down by the court following
a long and complex investigation. This has concluded a very difficult period for all
involved, and I hope they can start to put the events of the past behind them and
rebuild their lives now that justice has been done.
– DETECTIVE INSPECTOR TANIA ASH
Desborough, UK
96 Child Sex Abuse Allegations Reported on Jersey
Stewart Gull, Police Detective Superintendent. Picture: JON GUEGAN
Detective Superintendent Stewart Gull said: ‘We have made it clear that historical abuse, whether sexual, physical or emotional, is unacceptable and will be investigated.'
ALMOST 100 allegations of historical child sexual abuse have been reported to the States police since the force launched a major investigation 18 months ago, the JEP can reveal.
In one of the largest abuse inquiries the Island has ever seen, seven investigators are currently working on 18 cases of alleged abuse, many of which date back to the 1970s and 1980s.
So far the inquiry, codenamed Operation Whistle, has resulted in two convictions. Another two suspects are awaiting trial in the Royal Court.
Files on four more suspects are with the Law Officers Department, which will decide whether or not to launch prosecutions.
Speaking about Operation Whistle, Detective Superintendent Stewart Gull, head of crime services for the States police, said: ‘Operation Whistle has proved both complex and challenging. In bringing together a dedicated team from other sections, we have been keen to maximise the support for victims and, where possible, bring offenders to justice. With 18 ongoing investigations, this work continues.
Victims or anyone aware of any abuse are urged to contact the States police on 612612 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Elvis Impersonator Stands Trial On
Child Sex Abuse Charges
An Elvis impersonator from south-east Cornwall stands trial over a string of child sex charges.
Derrel Weaver is accused of 12 counts of indecently assaulting a young girl and two of gross indecency.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1994 and 2014.
The 62 year old from Widegates in Looe is appearing at Truro Crown Court.
He denies all charges.
The trial, which began on Monday, is expected to last until the end of the week.
Cornwall, UK
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