Lawyer, Elizabeth Duncan, is dealing with Jesus Army sex abuse claims
A man, who is now an OAP, was jailed for five years for sexually abusing boys at homes run by the Jesus Army. He lived as part of the religious community and during the 1990s moved between the Jesus Army’s network of properties in Preston and Northampton. He worked as a school caretaker in Preston, though there is no suggestion that any sexual abuse took place in relation to that role.
It was alleged that he carried out a series of sexual assaults on young people living in the Lancashire Jesus Army community and evidence was given in court by his victims who are now adults. He was convicted of three charges of indecency and indecent assault against two boys of primary school age who were living at the home. The judge gave the man a four year prison sentence for abusing the first boy and a further 12 months for his attack on the second boy. The convicted abuser has been placed on the sex offenders register for life. He has also been made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order to protect other children.
The Jesus Army (or Jesus Foundation as it is now known) is reported as welcoming the verdict, stating that they are “deeply shocked and saddened by these crimes and the distress to the victims and their families.” The organisation admitted it was appalled that the abuse took place on their church premises and has offered assurances that safeguarding measures have been introduced to protect children within its community.