ROY COTTON AND COLIN PRITCHARD'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL IN KENT AND SUSSEX

In a deeply troubling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the religious and local communities, the Church of England has issued a formal and unequivocal apology for the historic misconduct committed by certain members of its clergy. This apology, described by officials as an expression of “great sorrow and deep regret,” aims to acknowledge the profound harm inflicted upon victims over the years. The statement coincided with the publication of a comprehensive report that sheds light on the disturbing case of Roy Cotton, a convicted paedophile whose journey through the church’s ranks raises serious questions about safeguarding procedures and institutional oversight.

Roy Cotton, whose name is now synonymous with abuse, was first convicted in 1954 at the age of 25 for engaging in indecent behaviour with a child while he was still in training to become a priest. Despite this early conviction, Cotton’s criminal record did not prevent him from continuing his pursuit of a religious vocation. Over the years, additional allegations surfaced, further tarnishing his reputation and raising concerns about the church’s handling of such cases. Cotton was eventually dismissed from his theological college and later expelled from a preparatory school following accusations made by boys. His involvement with the Scout movement was also terminated after allegations emerged against him.

Remarkably, despite his criminal history, Cotton was readmitted to theological training and was ordained as a priest in 1966. This decision was made despite the fact that he had a known criminal past, which should have raised red flags. During the same period, Cotton was attending theological college alongside Colin Pritchard, who would later become a fellow priest and also be convicted of child abuse. The report highlights how Cotton’s re-licensing was facilitated by supporters within the church hierarchy, who allegedly persuaded diocesan officials to endorse his return to active ministry. According to independent reviewer Roger Meekings, this was a significant breach of proper procedures, as it allowed Cotton to gain “authorised” and unsupervised access to young people in organized groups, including the Scout movement.

It was this access that enabled Cotton to be perceived as a trustworthy authority figure by both children and their parents. The report details how Cotton’s role as a Scout leader was instrumental in giving him opportunities to exploit vulnerable children, with the Scouts themselves agreeing to relicense him after he reportedly convinced supporters within the diocese to lobby on his behalf. This decision effectively placed young people at risk, as Cotton’s position allowed him to operate without supervision or oversight.

In 1997, Cotton and Pritchard were arrested by Sussex Police on suspicion of sexually abusing children. Cotton retired from active ministry in 1999, the same year the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to drop charges against both men. Cotton passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy marred by abuse and institutional failure. Pritchard, who served as a vicar at St Barnabas Church in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, was later convicted in 2008 for abusing two children between 1979 and 1983. He was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty. The Archbishop of Canterbury responded by banning Pritchard from exercising any priestly duties for the rest of his life.

The Meekings report criticizes the church’s handling of Cotton’s ordination and the approval process that allowed him to continue working with children. It highlights how the passage of time and the downplaying of Cotton’s earlier conviction contributed to the failure to protect vulnerable individuals. The report also points out that proper procedures for sharing information about past convictions were not followed, and victims were denied the opportunity to be believed or to seek justice. Concerns were raised about the issuance of licenses that permitted both Cotton and Pritchard to continue their priestly duties after retirement, despite their known histories of abuse. The report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at preventing such failures in the future, including enhanced training for senior diocesan staff in managing allegations and the establishment of a dedicated child protection management group within the church hierarchy.