COLIN JEFFERY FROM CATERHAM SENTENCED AFTER CHURCH-BASED CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN GUILDFORD AND BLECHINGLEY

In a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light disturbing acts of abuse, Colin Ian Jeffery, a church volunteer from Caterham, was found guilty of carrying out a series of sexual assaults on young boys he befriended through church activities. The incidents, which spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, involved Jeffery exploiting his position within St. Mary’s Church in Bletchingley and other locations such as Guildford and the South Downs.

Jeffery, aged 61 at the time of his court appearance, appeared before Guildford Crown Court to face five charges of indecent assault. The court proceedings revealed that Jeffery had established close relationships with two young boys, aged approximately 12 and 13, through his volunteer work at the church. His involvement included assisting during church services and volunteering at a summer camp, where he also used a cine camera to film children during various church events.

One of the victims, who has since become a senior police officer, recounted a traumatic experience where Jeffery assaulted him in a church hall room. The victim described how Jeffery told him and another boy that he wanted to 'experiment' with them. The assault involved Jeffery fondling and molesting the boy while he was standing on a chair, with the other boy waiting outside the room. The victim explained, “That went on for about 2 minutes. Physically I froze. Mentally I was shocked. I just stood there wanting it to stop. I didn’t really know what to do.” He further added, “Then he stopped and walked back to the camera, and I remember him saying, ‘Oh no, it didn’t record.’”

The victim expressed that he was extremely wary of Jeffery afterward and made sure he was never alone with him again. It was only after many years—over two decades—that he confided in others, realizing that Jeffery might have abused other children. His suspicions were confirmed when he, working as a police officer managing sex offenders, recognized patterns of Jeffrey’s behavior.

Court evidence also detailed other instances of abuse, including assaults and filming at an adventure camp, during a walk in the South Downs, and inside Guildford Cathedral. Additionally, Jeffery was accused of sexually assaulting another boy inside a house at St. Mary’s Church after filming him with another child. The court heard that this particular assault lasted for approximately 30 minutes, ending only when Jeffery encountered technical issues with his camera equipment.

The offences took place over a period from 1978 to 1983, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior. Despite the severity of his actions, Jeffery was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for two years. The court also imposed a condition that he must not work with children in the future and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for five years.

In 2005, Jeffery appealed his conviction, but the courts dismissed his appeal, reaffirming the severity of his crimes and the need for justice. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and the wider community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding within church and community settings.