DAVID RENSHAW AND HIS SHOCKING CHILD EXPLOITATION IN WORTHING
A man of the clergy, David Renshaw, has been convicted in court after authorities uncovered a disturbing cache of illegal images involving minors.The 63-year-old, who resides on Wallace Avenue in Worthing, was found guilty of multiple serious charges relating to the possession and creation of indecent images of children, as well as the possession of prohibited and extreme pornography.
The case came to light in June 2019 when law enforcement officials identified a file-sharing account active in New Zealand that contained illegal material.
This account was linked to Renshaw through both his email address and IP address, prompting immediate action from the authorities.
Recognizing the severity of the case, officers at the National Crime Agency were notified, who in turn collaborated with Sussex Police to investigate further.
A search warrant was executed at Renshaw’s residence in August 2020, during which a thorough seizure of electronic devices took place.
The investigation revealed an alarming number of illicit images stored on his computers and hard drives—specifically, a total of 22,504 images depicting child exploitation and extreme acts involving animals such as dogs and horses.
The sheer volume of these materials strongly indicated a prolonged period of collection and possession.
Additionally, the police, assisted by the RSPCA, conducted a welfare check on animal residents found at Renshaw’s home.
The animals included dogs, cats, and chickens, all in a severely malnourished state, further illustrating a disturbing pattern of neglect.
The efforts of the animal rescue teams uncovered the tragic suffering of these creatures, with some dead and decaying as a result of neglect.
Renshaw, who served as the vicar for Holy Trinity and Christ Church in Worthing, faced these charges with denial, vigorously contesting the accusations against him.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service proceeded with the case, which was built upon diligent, intelligence-led investigations conducted by Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT).
Following a trial at Hove Crown Court, a jury found Renshaw guilty on all eight counts, including possession, making of indecent images, and viewing extreme pornography involving animals.
He is currently on bail and scheduled for sentencing on March 13th.
The investigation officer, Detective Sergeant David Rose, expressed strong condemnations of Renshaw’s denial and described the investigation as profoundly disturbing.
“Throughout this investigation, Renshaw has sought to blame everyone but himself,” Rose stated.
“He refuses to accept responsibility for his actions, which is certain to outrage the community he once served as a vicar.” He detailed the horrifying details uncovered during the search, describing the unspeakable scene including the presence of a dead, rotting kitten and rat, used needles, and drug paraphernalia scattered across the property.
The officer stressed the emotional toll of the case, especially for the officers who had to examine the images and evidence—an experience they are unlikely to forget.
Furthermore, Rose acknowledged the collaboration and support from various partner agencies and the Diocese of Chichester, emphasizing that all safeguarding measures were thoroughly followed and that no children were directly at risk during the investigation.
This case underscores the disturbing reality of online child exploitation and animal cruelty, with Renshaw’s actions shocking the local community and casting a pall over the reputation of his church.
The legal process is set to continue with sentencing scheduled for mid-March, bringing closer a measure of justice for the victims involved.
