DAVID ROBERTS DISGRACED TAUNTON VICAR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOY

In December 2012, a disturbing case unfolded involving a vicar from Taunton who was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy during the 1980s. The individual in question, Rev David Roberts, aged 68 and residing on Henley Road in Taunton, was sentenced to a substantial prison term of 12 years at Taunton Crown Court. This conviction marked a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to address abuse within religious institutions and highlighted the importance of victim bravery in coming forward.

Roberts, who had been serving at St John the Evangelist Church located on Park Street in Taunton, was immediately suspended from his clerical duties following his admission to five sexual assault charges. The court also mandated that Roberts register as a sex offender and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to monitor his activities and prevent further offenses. The sentencing was a culmination of a sensitive investigation led by authorities, emphasizing the courage of the victim who chose to speak out after many years of silence.

Detective Constable Andrew Daw commented on the case, stating, “This was an extremely sensitive investigation that has resulted in Roberts being jailed for a significant amount of time. This sentence is down to the courage and bravery of the victim to come forward and tell us about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Roberts. He was in a position of trust as a vicar and he abused that position, sexually abusing a vulnerable boy. I would encourage any victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and contact us. We take every allegation seriously, past or present and will investigate thoroughly.”

The court was informed that the abuse, which occurred when Roberts was in his 40s, was only reported to police recently. The victim, who has since become a father, decided to speak out after feeling the need to confront the past. Prosecutor William Hunter revealed that the victim had struggled with the decision to disclose the abuse, describing it as an “agonising” process.

Details of the abuse revealed that Roberts initially paid the boy £5 for allowing him to kiss him, which the victim thought was a gesture of admiration. However, the situation escalated over time, with Roberts increasingly requesting more frequent meetings and offering larger sums of money—up to £50 per encounter—citing his need to fund a cannabis habit. The court heard that Roberts would allow the boy to smoke in his company, further grooming him and establishing a false sense of trust. The victim viewed Roberts as a father figure, which made the betrayal even more profound.

In his defense, lawyer Sean Brunton acknowledged that the offenses had not been repeated and described the incident as the end of Roberts’s career and reputation. Brunton also highlighted the victim’s capacity for forgiveness, noting that the victim had gone to the police with great reluctance and still found it difficult to feel anger towards Roberts.

The judge, addressing Roberts directly, emphasized the gravity of his misconduct, especially given his role within the church. “You’re a man of the church and in that capacity you became the chaplain of a school. You were in a position of trust. You clearly groomed him by allowing him to smoke and drink alcohol,” the judge stated, underscoring the betrayal of trust and the severity of the abuse committed by Roberts in a position meant to provide spiritual guidance and support.