2007: FORMER MALVERN VICAR JAILED FOR SEX CRIMES
A priest who previously served in Malvern has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing multiple boys over nearly three decades.The two-week trial at Bristol Crown Court revealed that concerns regarding the priest were brought to the attention of the Church of England twice, once in 1983 and again in 2001.
Despite assurances that the issues had been addressed, Smith continued to exploit boys within his parish.
Smith, who was the vicar of St John the Evangelist in Clevedon, denied all allegations, claiming they were imaginary.
However, an eight-woman and four-man jury took only two hours to unanimously convict him on ten counts of indecent assault, one of sexual assault on a minor under 13, and one of sexual activity with a person under 16.
The abuse occurred between 1976 and 2005 and involved six boys under the age of 16.
Smith was visibly distressed as the jury foreman announced the guilty verdicts.
His offenses started when he was appointed assistant housemaster at Douai Abbey in Berkshire in 1975, where he abused three boys over his one-year tenure after inviting them into his quarters.
Nearly 25 years later, one victim, upon seeing Smith speaking about the death of his cousin during the 9/11 attacks, felt compelled to contact the church.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells reassured him that the issue was "effectively addressed." Smith then left the school and became a curate in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, in 1981.
He was left alone with a young boy when his parents went on holiday, but used this opportunity to commit an assault, though that charge was dropped on legal grounds during the trial.
Soon after the incident, Smith secured a new position in Malvern.
The victim's parents became alarmed over Smith's relationship with their son and contacted authorities.
The mother believed that the church intended to handle the matter.
Yet, Smith continued his abusive behavior after taking up his role at St John’s in Clevedon in 1993.
He befriended local students by inviting them for homework help or seaside trips, expressing affection by telling them he "loved them" and even kissing one boy on the lips inappropriately.
The abuse was uncovered when his final victim, a 13-year-old altar server aspiring to be a priest, confided in a church member.
An investigation followed, tracking down other victims through church records, as outlined in court.
Smith denied all accusations, claiming the boys' stories were false.
Evidence including DNA was recovered from his sofa.
The Diocese of Bath and Wells suspended him during the legal process.
