A Jehovah’s Witness who
sexually abused a child and then had his wrongdoing covered up by the church
has been jailed for 13 years.
Gordon Leighton, 53,
admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted with the allegations
by church elders at Washington, Tyne and Wear.
The elders knew about
the 53-year-old’s admissions for three years but refused to co-operate with the
criminal investigation, and said what they had heard was confidential.
Leighton hit the
headlines in the 1990s when his wife Yvonne, 28, died after refusing a
blood transfusion after childbirth on religious grounds.
Judge Penny Moreland
said that he had subjected his victim to 'untold damage' as she sentenced him
at Newcastle Crown Court today.
The judge said: 'You
manipulated her with a combination of affection and attention and violence and
threats.'
The defendant was found
guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault
after a trial.
Prosecutor Katherine
Dunn told the court it was in 2009 the victim, who is now an adult, broke her
silence about what Leighton had done to her.
The court heard that at
a special meeting at Lambton Kingdom Hall aimed at 'keeping the
congregation clean', Leighton 'admitted sexual abuse' and made excuses for his
vile behaviour.
Miss Dunn said: 'The
elders conducted their own investigation. A meeting was arranged and the
defendant was confronted with the allegations.
'After initially denying
the allegations he broke down and admitted sexually abusing the complainant.'
The court heard
Leighton, of Washington, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by
detectives and claimed his confession at the meeting was limited to reading
pornographic material.
Throughout the six-day
trial Leighton, a Jehovah’s Witness ministerial servant, denied all the
allegations against him and denied he had confessed to the elders.
So many lives has been destroyed in the name of the "lord" So sad. We use God's name to our selfish ends.
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