ANTHONY CLAYTON ABUSES BOY IN LOCKINGTON: DERBYSHIRE VICAR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Lockington, Derbyshire, Anthony Clayton, a 63-year-old vicar, was sentenced to six months in prison after being found guilty of molesting a 13-year-old boy nearly 25 years ago. The incident took place at Clayton's vicarage in Lockington, where he engaged in inappropriate and abusive behavior towards the young boy, who was serving as a bell-ringer at the time.

During the court proceedings held at London's Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, it was revealed that Clayton, who was also a former personal chaplain to the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, had exploited the boy's trust. The court heard that Clayton had promised the youth a future job within the church as a means of silencing him after the abuse. This manipulation was part of a broader pattern of misconduct that spanned several years.

Judge Fabyan Evans, presiding over the case, delivered the sentence after considering the evidence and testimonies. In his remarks, the judge acknowledged that the young man had been familiar with homosexual activities, but emphasized that Clayton's actions had significantly contributed to the boy's corruption and ongoing suffering. The judge's comments underscored the severity of the abuse and the betrayal of trust involved.

Anthony Clayton, who hails from Nottingham, was convicted of one count of indecent assault. However, he was acquitted of other charges related to the same incident. The victim, now 38 years old and residing in Lancashire, provided testimony that helped establish the case against Clayton. The court also received character references from notable figures, including the Duchess of Rutland and Richard Rutt, the former bishop of Leicester, highlighting Clayton's standing before the allegations surfaced.

This case has brought to light the dark side of a respected religious figure and has prompted discussions about safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable individuals within church communities. The community of Lockington and the wider Derbyshire area are left to grapple with the implications of this case and the importance of vigilance against abuse of power.