ROSE AMADASUN FROM SOUTH NORWOOD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE REVELATIONS

In August 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Rose Amadasun, a pastor based in South Norwood, who was found guilty of inflicting severe abuse on children under her care. The investigation uncovered a pattern of violent and cruel treatment that spanned several years, revealing a disturbing abuse of power within her religious community.

Amadasun, aged 49, was accused of subjecting children to a series of brutal acts, including blindfolding them, hitting them with belts and wires, and shouting 'Jesus' during these assaults. Witnesses reported that she would also violently shake the children whenever they made noise, and she would force them to undertake prolonged fasting, sometimes lasting several days. These acts of abuse were carried out in a manner that suggested a calculated attempt to control and punish the young victims under the guise of religious discipline.

The police investigation was initiated after two members of the public reported witnessing a woman hitting children with a belt. The witnesses identified the woman as Amadasun, who resided on Beauchamp Road in South Norwood. She was known to be the leader of a local religious ministry she had established. The witnesses described seeing a group of children being assaulted by a woman who was shouting 'Jesus' as she struck them, which added a disturbing religious dimension to the abuse.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command conducted a thorough investigation, which revealed that Amadasun had been abusing children for several years. The police detailed her methods, which included hitting children with belts and wires, blindfolding them before assaulting them, shaking them when they made noise, and forcing them into extended fasting regimes.

Amadasun was arrested on August 11, 2015, on suspicion of actual bodily harm. Following her arrest, she was charged on June 30, 2016, with five counts of child cruelty. She appeared before Croydon Magistrates’ Court on July 29, where she pleaded guilty to all five charges. Her sentencing took place on August 9 at Croydon Crown Court, where she was sentenced to 16 months in prison. However, the sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning she would not serve time unless she committed further offenses within that period.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Amadasun was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and participate in rehabilitation programs for up to 25 days. The case highlighted the disturbing abuse of trust and the importance of safeguarding children from individuals who exploit their positions of authority under the guise of religious or spiritual guidance.