Church youth worker guilty of sexually abusing boys
A CHURCH youth worker who sexually abused two boys at his home has been jailed for two years.
Gilleon Prentice was involved with a youth group at Chelsea Baptist Church in Easton and would invite teenagers to his home for parties and molest them, Bristol Crown Court heard yesterday.
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Gilleon Prentice
After Prentice left the role his victims, who cannot be named, made complaints to police. They were aged under 16 when the offences took place and are now adults.
Prentice, of Hudd's Vale Road, St George, admitted two indecent assaults and was found guilty of a further four.
He would touch the youngsters sexually after luring them to his home, the court heard.
The 49-year-old, who later worked as a plumber for Bristol City Council, initially denied all but pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults on one lad and was found guilty of another four charges.
Jennifer Tallentire, defending, said: "The evidence is that this is something that arose out of a relationship of misplaced, genuine affection."
Miss Tallentire said since the offences her client had been of long-standing good character.
She said: "The evidence suggests a period of offending at a point in Mr Prentice's life and now his risk is minimum, if anything at all.
"He withdrew himself from youth work some years ago.
"He has continued to be part of the church but has not betrayed any sign of offending in this way."
Sentencing Prentice, Judge David Ticehurst told him: "This case could be described as a tragedy.
"It is a tragedy for the victims who you abused and it is a tragedy for you, because you have built a good and responsible life. You do not represent a significant or serious risk in the future.
"There were particular circumstances that gave rise to these offences.
"You have built a law-abiding and good life for yourself. That life has been brought to an end."
The judge handed Prentice a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, banning him from contact with youngsters for ten years.
He also told Prentice he must sign the sex offenders' register for the next ten years.
After the sentence one victim said: "I think the sentence was far too light and it is difficult, knowing the stuff I know. The whole process has been a learning curve."
The victims thanked the police for the support they received from the force.
Steve Bevan, founder of support group Adult Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse, said: "We gave one of the complainants one-to-one group therapy for one-and-a-half years. My job was to take him through the whole abuse, how it impacted on his life, and get him through it."
Detective Constable Andy Coggins, who led the police investigation, said: "Gilleon Prentice is a manipulative man, who abused his position of trust and responsibility over a number of years while working as a church leader.
"He thought he had got away with these crimes but thanks to the bravery and courage of his victims, he has been brought to justice.
"I hope the sentence passed today gives them some closure and allows them to move on with their lives knowing he can cause no harm to others.
"I would encourage anyone who may have been a victim of rape or sexual assault, past or present, to come forward and talk to specialist police officers."
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by truthortrying
Wednesday, February 29 2012, 9:50AM
“BEWARE: CULT! BEWARE: CULT! BEWARE: CULT! BEWARE: CULT! BEWARE: CULT!
http://tinyurl.com/79xvxvk
Hmmmm.... interesting that this is the same church at which the above specimen is a member. What a lovely big 'up yours' to all of the doubters.
And there's more to come. For goodness sake, KEEP YOUR KIDS AWAY.
It's worth mentioning that the genuine members of this church are victims too, and we should all bear this in mind. Nevertheless:
CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT - CULT!!!!!!!”
by sayitoutloud
Sunday, January 22 2012, 11:51AM
“Karen, I have just been on your group for survivors. Just like the guys who were strong enough to put Gilleon Prentice in prison, and the victim who is currently going through the ordeal of our British legal system with regard to the same sick *******, you are amazing. Truly. x”
by karenbill
Friday, January 20 2012, 9:40AM
“Another sick c***!!! I can't beliveve how many kids get abused. Me included, my bad uncle Iain Langdale has served half a year of his 18 year sentence!!! Rot in hell.
Would love to help people who have suffered like I have. Whether it be a chat or some advice.
I have a group on FB called Survivors of Child Abuse if anyone is interested.
Thanks,
Karen x”
by Mickinbristol
Thursday, January 19 2012, 10:08PM
“Yet more people have come forward... Lie about this being "a loving relationship" you evil man.”
by sayitoutloud
Thursday, January 19 2012, 1:56PM
“Let the squirming recommence...
Much love and respect to the victim.x”
by tpaddon
Tuesday, December 20 2011, 8:01PM
“so philip barlow youth leader and teacher of saltford,and son of steve barlow pastor of grace bible church ,has gone down for 4 years,his arrogance (probably picked up from his father )helped convict himself.hopefully now his parents might leave saltford,with their heads hanging in shame(like their sons was in court)and go back to liverpool,we do not want their lying and arrogant kind in our village,in the wild west they would have been railroaded out of town!!!
the saying what goes around comes around,will now apply to philip barlow,enjoy yourself in prison phil,you will find lots of new good friends!!!!!!!”
by Jay1444444
Monday, December 19 2011, 1:33AM
“Justice is being served that is what matters. It's horrible it has taken this long, but at least it is no longer in the dark. I apologise if my defence of a group that is being labelled by individual cases is some how making christians (like myself) look bad, but I just appreciate being able to say, actually there is more good then bad and the only reason churches get front pages when these things happen is because they are an easy target for people who have issues of their own. There are plenty of bad people in this world, plenty, but a church that is actually striving to be a church, would not be caught in these situations. So maybe there is a right to judge the individual churches when this happens in them, like we should about the schools, work places and homes where abuse happens everyday, but I think it's not right to 'tar with the same brush' the other places that have good policies and procedures that protect young people.
I apologies also about my use of the word 'FACT' as thus. It still remains a fact that Jesus died, and historically the reason was clear. Whether you believe it or not, doesn't change the fact it is historically documented. But as you rightly said, this is not a place for theological debate. I just feel I need to try and cover any misunderstandings from what I have written.
Thank you for allowing me to join this discussion about a situation close to home.”
by bubblesmead
Friday, December 16 2011, 5:14PM
“I will also be there, along with others supporting one of his many victims that have since found the courage and strength to come forward!”
by amsosa
Friday, December 16 2011, 5:06PM
“I and others will be in court in January, to see what lies Gilleon Prentice comes out with this time, as he continues to lie to the Police, the Courts and more importantly, those he has abused.
It is not just a few boys that he abused either and I really hope everyone he did abuse and harm comes forward, and tells the truth, because he never will.
He is a convicted paedophile and will always remain a danger to boys, and should be kept away from those who he will harm and abuse, robbing them of their innocence and childhood
Steve”
by bubblesmead
Friday, December 16 2011, 4:15PM
“is it a "need to know" basis??”