GORDON LEIGHTON'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE IN AYTON, WASHINGTON REVEALED

In August 2013, a disturbing case involving child sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witness community in Ayton, Washington, came to light, exposing a troubling cover-up by church officials. Gordon Leighton, a 53-year-old ministerial servant of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, was ultimately sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor.

Leighton’s crimes first surfaced when he was confronted by church elders at the Lambton Kingdom Hall in Washington. During this confrontation, he admitted to engaging in sexual misconduct with a child. However, what followed was a troubling period of silence and inaction. For three years, the church elders chose not to inform authorities or the victim’s family about Leighton’s confession, citing confidentiality and their religious duties as reasons for withholding this critical information. This deliberate concealment prevented timely police intervention and allowed Leighton’s alleged abuse to remain unaddressed for an extended period.

Despite the church’s silence, the victim, who is now an adult, courageously decided to speak out in 2009, bringing the case to the attention of law enforcement. Prosecutor Katherine Dunn described how a special meeting was convened within the church to address the allegations, ostensibly to maintain the integrity of the congregation. During this meeting, Leighton reportedly admitted to the sexual abuse and attempted to justify his actions with excuses. The court was told that the elders, including Simon Preyser, Harry Logan, and David Scott, conducted their own internal investigation, which was kept secret from the police and the victim’s family.

Leighton’s initial denial of the allegations was eventually broken when he was confronted with the evidence. He admitted to the abuse, but during police interviews, he refused to answer questions directly, claiming that his confession was limited to masturbation and reading pornographic material. The church elders, however, refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation for three years, asserting that their duty to confidentiality and religious obligations prevented them from providing statements. This stance persisted even when the case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court, where the elders were summoned to testify. Despite their legal resistance, Judge Penny Moreland ordered them to give evidence, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the pursuit of justice.

Leighton, who had previously gained media attention in the 1990s following the death of his wife Yvonne at age 28 after refusing a blood transfusion on religious grounds, faced multiple charges. He was accused of two counts of indecency with a child and seven counts of indecent assault. During the trial, he maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and claiming that he had never confessed to the elders. Nevertheless, the court found him guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six counts of indecent assault, acquitting him of one indecent assault charge on the judge’s direction.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Penny Moreland condemned Leighton for the profound harm inflicted on his victim. She stated that his actions had caused “untold damage” and accused him of manipulating the victim through a combination of affection, attention, violence, and threats. Leighton was also subjected to a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. He was remanded into custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for the following month, with the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.

This case has highlighted serious issues within the church community regarding the handling of abuse allegations and the importance of transparency and cooperation with law enforcement. The refusal of the church elders to initially cooperate and their claims of religious confidentiality drew significant criticism, underscoring the need for clear legal boundaries when it comes to protecting victims and ensuring justice is served.