NEIL GRAY: BLACKPOOL AND FARNWORTH VICAR SENTENCED FOR ABUSING BOYS IN PRESTON AND CHORLEY

In May 2019, Neil Gray, a 71-year-old former vicar associated with both Blackpool and Farnworth, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of abusing two young boys from Chorley and Blackpool. Once regarded as a prominent figure within the Christian community, Gray’s reputation was shattered as he was exposed as a predatory paedophile who exploited his religious authority to groom and sexually abuse vulnerable children.

Gray, who now resides on Plodder Lane in Farnworth, Bolton, had a long history of grooming boys during his time serving in various parishes. His first known victim, a 13-year-old boy, was groomed and assaulted while Gray was a curate at St Lawrence’s Church in Chorley during the 1970s. At that time, Gray was living in church accommodation on Highfield Road South, which provided him with access to the young boy. The court heard that Gray used his position to gain the boy’s trust, gradually introducing him to alcohol and allowing him to smoke, creating an environment where the victim felt he could do whatever Gray permitted.

Later, Gray served as the vicar at St Christopher’s Church in Blackpool. During this period, he befriended the family of a 12-year-old boy, often going out for meals and visiting their home. The court was told that Gray’s relationship with the family was characterized by a level of familiarity that extended beyond typical pastoral care. He would invite the boy to stay at his vicarage for extended periods, sometimes for two or three nights, during which Gray would give him alcohol before abusing him. The second victim, now aged 50, bravely confronted Gray in court, describing the profound and lasting impact the abuse had on his life. He recounted how Gray’s actions left him feeling abandoned by his parents, who refused to believe his allegations and disowned him.

In the 1980s, Gray moved to the parish of St Paul and St Oswald’s, located off Blackpool Road in Preston, a church that no longer exists. During this time, he continued to manipulate and abuse a 61-year-old man from Chorley, who also came forward to share his harrowing experience. The court was informed that Gray’s access to the boys was facilitated by their families’ trust in him, which he exploited by inviting the boys into his home, where they were served wine and subjected to abuse. The victims described how Gray’s grooming involved giving them a sense of freedom and comfort that they lacked at home, which he used to facilitate his sexual misconduct.

Prosecutor Frances McEntee highlighted the disturbing similarities between the two cases, noting that the offences occurred a decade apart but involved the same pattern of grooming and abuse. She explained that both boys had been adopted into families connected to the church and that Gray’s access was made possible through the trust placed in him by their families. The court heard that Gray’s first victim, who was also a victim of a now-deceased curate, met Gray in late 1971 or early 1972 and was allowed to visit his home regularly, where he was permitted to smoke and drink. The victim reflected that he was often singled out by Gray and that he initially did not object to the abuse, perceiving it as part of maintaining their friendship.

Gray’s second victim, who was a boy from Blackpool, described how Gray’s abuse left him feeling isolated and unloved. He recounted how he was told that “God was in his room,” which terrified him. The victim detailed how he discovered he was adopted during an argument, which caused him significant distress. He described how Gray’s influence led him to rebel, use drugs and alcohol, and attempt suicide three times. The emotional statement revealed the deep scars left by Gray’s actions, including the loss of his relationship with his family, the death of his mother, and the passing of his father, who refused to believe his account.

Throughout the proceedings, Gray appeared in court wearing a grey suit, clutching a wooden walking stick. His defense argued that he had been a dedicated hospital chaplain at the Royal Bolton Hospital for over 30 years, where colleagues described him as someone who always prioritized the needs of others, especially during times of crisis. The defense also highlighted Gray’s physical and mental health issues, including recent suicidal ideations. However, Judge Philip Parry emphasized the gravity of Gray’s betrayal of trust, stating that there could be “hardly a worse kind of abuse of trust that that of a member of clergy.” He condemned Gray’s actions as calculated and deceitful, noting that Gray had previously denied the allegations during an interview 14 years earlier, which he described as a “callous” attempt to deny responsibility.

Judge Parry sentenced Gray to four years in prison, underscoring the profound damage inflicted on the victims. He remarked that Gray’s position as a trusted clergyman had made his crimes particularly heinous and that his inability to remember the incidents was indicative of his guilt. The judge also pointed out Gray’s history of deception and the fact that he had the opportunity to prevent years of suffering for the victims but chose to deny and conceal the abuse.

Following the sentencing, Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, issued a formal apology on behalf of the Church of England. He expressed deep regret for the suffering endured by the victims and praised their bravery in coming forward. The bishop reaffirmed the church’s commitment to addressing abuse allegations seriously and to creating a safer environment for all members. He emphasized that the church fully cooperated with police investigations and encouraged other victims or witnesses to come forward, assuring them of confidentiality and support.

In a poignant moment, Gray’s second victim read an emotional statement directly to him in court. The man, who had been left feeling abandoned and betrayed, described how Gray’s abuse destroyed his childhood, led to his disownment by his family, and caused lasting health issues, including a heart attack in 2011. He recounted how Gray’s actions left him with a profound sense of worthlessness, trust issues, and emotional scars that persist to this day. The victim’s words underscored the devastating impact of Gray’s betrayal and served as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from such abuse.