PETER HALLIDAY FROM FARNBOROUGH JAILED FOR ABUSING BOYS IN CHURCH CHOIR

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Farnborough, Hampshire, Peter Halliday, aged 61, was sentenced to prison for a series of serious sexual offenses committed against three young boys. The abuse took place over a period spanning from 1985 to 1990, during which Halliday was serving as the choirmaster at St Peter's Church in Farnborough.

Halliday pleaded guilty to a total of 10 counts of indecent assault during an earlier court hearing. The case was heard at Winchester Crown Court, where Judge Ian Pearson delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes. The judge described Halliday’s actions as systematic and calculated, highlighting that the offenses were so severe that only a custodial sentence could be justified.

As part of his sentence, Halliday was banned for life from working with children. The court also ordered that he be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, a measure that underscores the seriousness with which the justice system views his crimes. Additionally, Halliday was instructed to pay £2,000 in compensation to each of his victims, acknowledging the harm inflicted upon them.

The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about how the abuse was reported and handled. One of the boys confided in a Christian leader at a camp, revealing that Halliday had been abusing him. This disclosure prompted the involvement of a local vicar, Alan Boddington, who was informed of the allegations. Following this, the boy’s father and Reverend Boddington confronted Halliday directly. During this confrontation, Halliday admitted to the abuse, confirming the allegations.

Defense attorney Susan Evans argued that Reverend Boddington was only aware of a single allegation at the time and that the boy’s parents chose not to pursue police action. She suggested that the vicar’s response was understandable under the circumstances. The court was told that after the confrontation, Halliday was effectively placed on probation by the church authorities. He was immediately removed from his position as choirmaster at St Peter’s Church and was instructed to resign from the church entirely. Halliday complied, and he and his wife subsequently received counseling.

Evans also emphasized that Halliday had never worked with children since the incidents, only participating in adult choir activities from 1997 onward. She pointed out that Halliday had served on the board of governors at a secondary school from 1988 to 2000 but had no unsupervised contact with children during that period. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Farnborough, raising questions about safeguarding and the handling of abuse allegations within church environments.