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>Title: Jesus Army sex offender sentenced for string of >indecent acts directed at children in Northamptonshire >Website: Northampton Chronicle and Echo >Date: 28/03/2017 >Link: >http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/jesus-army-sex-o >ffender-sentenced-for-string-of-indecent-acts-directed- >at-children-in-northamptonshire-1-7888780 > >A "predatory" man who indecently assaulted young boys >while part of a Christian organisation in the 1980s >has been sentenced at Northampton Crown Court. > >The Man, 56, from Cornwall, yesterday (March 28) >pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and >two counts of gross indecency with a child under the >age of 14. > >His offences were carried out over six years in the >1980s while Perkins and his victims were members of >the Christian community organisation The Jesus Army, >now known as the Jesus Fellowship, based in >Northampton. > >The Man held head in his hands as the court heard how >he 'opportunistically' assaulted his victims and how >he convinced them not to talk about the incidents, >causing long-lasting emotional damage to the boys. > >His Honour Judge Smith said: "You moved from one young >boy to another. Some have called it opportunistic but >I term it predatory." > >The offences were carried out during his membership of >the church. > >The Jesus Army, now known as the Jesus Fellowship, is >a Christian organisation based in Northampton, which >in the 1980s encouraged its men, women and families to >live in one of its community houses across >Northamptonshire and surrounding counties. > >His Honour Judge Timothy Smith said: "At a certain >age, young members of the Jesus Army were invited to >move in and live in one of these dormitories with >other men. It was encouraged for young members to >build relationships with the older members so they >could learn Christian values. > >"Other practices at this organisation were visiting >other community houses for Sunday lunch and to take >part in community activities in the afternoon, >including going on walks." > >The court heard how th eman would use the trust he >built with the victims and their families to attempt >to 'satisfy his own sexual urges'. > >On a Sunday in Northamptonshire, one of the mans' >victims, found himself alone with him, the court heard. > >The man stopped, pulled his trousers down and began >touching himself, the court heard. He then sexually >assault the boy for several minutes before the child >ran away. > >Later, the man told his victim what they were doing >was 'normal behaviour' and that he should not talk to >anyone about it. > >Judge Smith said: "The impact on this boy, as he said >in his victim statement, was that he felt dirty. He >did not talk about it, and as an adult said he took a >'pragmatic view' towards it, in that 'nothing really >happened.'" > >Another boy was targetted twice by the man in >Warwickshire. > >Judge Smith said: "You abused the kind of friendship >you may have had with them." > >The boy found himself alone with the man when he was >changing his clothes. As he was changing his t-shirt, >Perkins complimented the boy on his muscles. Then he >reached out and stroked him from his abdominal area >down to his thigh. > >When his victim objected to this, the man told him: >"It's alright, it's me." > >A second incident involved Perkins performing a sex >act on himself in front of the boy before telling the >boy to touch him. The boy refused before Perkins >continued the act. > >"Your victim felt manipulated and ashamed. He tried to >put things out of his mind, but the incident was a >great knock to his confidence and caused him sexual >confusion with long-lasting effects." > >The Mans' next victim was abused while he was on a >visit to a house in the north of England. > >He took the boy on a walk. When they reached an >outbuilding, Perkins 'dared' him to go inside with him >and touch the mans' genitals. When the boy refused, >the man convinced him to carry out the act by paying >him 50p, the court told. > >Later, the man again cornered this same boy and >sexually assaulted him. > >Judge Smith said: "The victim in this incident felt >guilty and ashamed. He felt he was the guilty party >because he accepted money for these acts, when it is >clear that you are the guilty party." > >The man left the Jesus Army somewhere after his last >offence. During later investigations into abuse at the >organisation, the man denied ever abusing any children >or committing indecent assault towards them. > >As part of Operation Lifeboat carried out by >Northamptonshire Police, which investigated >allegations of abuse at the Jesus Army, the man was >arrested at his cottage in Penzance, Cornwall. > >He pleaded guilty to the five offences. > >In sentencing, Judge Smith, said: "I'm told there were >complications growing up and that as a young man you >felt a lot of confusion. Your defence barrister has >told me you are something of an introverted man who >would not cope well within the prison environment. You >have shown remorse for your actions and are aware of >the damage you have caused. > >"However, I feel anything other than a prison sentence >is not something I can do today." > >The man was sentenced to three years in prison and >faces a lifetime on the sex offenders register. He >will also have notification requirements for life, >meaning he must inform police of any changes of name >or address. > >DCI Ally White, of Northamptonshire Police, said: >“This court case forms part of Operation Lifeboat, >the Northamptonshire Police investigation into >non-recent allegations of abuse within the Jesus >Fellowship (previously known as the Jesus Army). > >“This operation, comprising a small team of >detectives and a civilian support worker, began in >2015 and has had the full support of the Jesus >Fellowship, who have fully assisted in bringing >prosecutions such as this one and the others taking >place this year. > >“The investigation into the man began as a result of >referrals submitted to the Jesus Fellowship leaders by >current and former members. This was in response to a >request by the Senior Leadership for any situations >that have occurred in the past which may mean people >have a grievance against the church. > >“The man was a transient member of the Jesus >Fellowship in the 1980s. The convictions for which he >has now been sentenced relate to offences, during that >time, of sexual assault upon boys whose families were >also members. > >“He was a predator who would befriend the boys and >isolate them during communal events and gatherings and >then assault them for his own sexual gratification. >Although no physical injury was sustained, the >emotional and psychological damage to those boys was >extensive and persists in some even to this day. > >“We would like to thank every person that came >forward with information that helped to secure this >conviction. It could not have been done without their >willingness to support this investigation and their >patience during the process. For some, this meant >bringing up painful memories of a past they would >prefer to forget and for that we commend them. > >"The mans’ conviction demonstrates there can be a >successful prosecution brought against non-recent >offences of this nature, in this instance 30 years >ago.” > >Jesus Fellowship National Team Leader, Mick Haines, >said: “We are deeply sorry about the distress, >emotional and mental suffering caused to the survivors >of The mans' abuse. His conviction and this sentence >is entirely appropriate and we applaud the efforts of >the Police and Crown Prosecution Service."
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