REV DENNIS ALLISON AND OTHERS FROM PORTSMOUTH AND LIVERPOOL JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG BOYS

In a disturbing series of criminal cases that have shocked the communities of Portsmouth and Liverpool, multiple men, including two clergymen, a church choir director, a church server, and a professional musician, have been sentenced to prison for heinous sexual offences committed against young boys.

One of the most prominent figures involved is Reverend Dennis Allison, aged 58, who served as the vicar of St Peter and St Paul’s in Wymering, Portsmouth. Allison was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of indecent assault involving two boys. The court heard that one of the boys was only 12 years old when the abuse began, and the other was just seven at the time of the first assault. Over a span of four years, these young victims endured repeated violations at the hands of Allison and other men involved in the case.

During the sentencing at Winchester Crown Court, Mr. Justice Swinton expressed his profound disappointment and bewilderment over how Allison could have committed such offences, remarking, “How you came to commit these offences really passes any comprehension.”

Allison’s wife, Ann, who has recently been forced to leave their home after being harassed by angry neighbors, publicly declared her support for her husband. She stated, “He’s totally penitent. I’ll be waiting for him.” Currently, Mrs. Allison is living at a secret address to avoid further harassment. She also mentioned that her children would have to decide for themselves how they felt about their father’s actions.

In addition to Allison, other offenders from the Portsmouth area received prison sentences. Reverend James Bent, aged 57, from West Derby, Liverpool, was sentenced to six months after admitting to two counts of indecent assault on a single boy. Bent’s case highlights the disturbing cross-regional nature of this criminal network.

From Portsmouth, three other men received sentences for their involvement. Stuart Eager, a 39-year-old solicitor from Farlington and a choirmaster at Allison’s church, was sentenced to nine months after admitting to two counts of indecent assault. Gary Clough, aged 25 and a church server from Hilsea, was jailed for 12 months following five sexual offences. Raymond Fullalove, a 42-year-old professional musician from Copnor and a friend of Eager, received a two-year sentence for five sexual offences.

The court revealed that one of the victims was first assaulted by Allison at the age of 12, with subsequent abuse by the other men over the following four years. The second boy was only seven when he was first assaulted by Allison, illustrating the grave severity and prolonged nature of the offences committed by these individuals.

The case has left the communities of Portsmouth and Liverpool in shock, raising questions about safeguarding and the oversight of individuals in positions of trust within religious and community institutions.