EX CHURCH ORGANIST JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

A former assistant church organist and youth club worker on the Isle of Wight has been sentenced to six years in prison for child sexual abuse. David Tickner, aged 61 and residing on Cook Avenue, Newport, was convicted of abusing a child during the 1990s. The victim, who is now an adult, reported the abuse to police on May 23, 2022. At the time of the offence, Tickner was serving as the assistant organist at a church in Newport and was involved in the church's youth activities. The abuse took place at an address in Newport between 1994 and 1996, when the victim was aged 14 to 16. Following a four-day trial at Salisbury Crown Court, the jury found Tickner guilty, and he was remanded in custody. The court sentenced him to six years in prison last week, on November 22. Detective Constable Julia Parker, who led the investigation, explained that Tickner exploited his contacts through church work to carry out the abuse, leaving lifelong trauma for the victim. She emphasized that police will continue to investigate and support victims of child abuse and encouraged anyone affected to contact them via 101 or seek support through services like Child Line or NSPCC.