WILLIAM HARGREAVES ABUSE SCANDAL SHOCKS MILTON AND PORTSMOUTH

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Milton and Southsea, William Hargreaves, a former youth leader and social worker, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The abuse, which spanned over five years, began when the victim was just 11 years old, and the details of the case have revealed troubling lapses in the response of local church authorities.

According to court records, the elders at the Langstone Christian Fellowship Church in Milton chose to keep the matter under wraps rather than alert the police. Their decision was reportedly influenced by Hargreaves himself, who claimed to be remorseful for his actions. This silence allowed Hargreaves to continue working with children for many years, initially as a social worker and later as a teacher, positions that put him in close contact with vulnerable young people.

It was only after the victim, now 19, confided in her mother that the church authorities were made aware of the abuse. The victim’s mother, Hargreaves’ wife, then informed the church elders, who decided not to pursue further action. Elder Robert Acheson testified in court that he believed Hargreaves had shown genuine remorse, and therefore, no criminal proceedings were initiated at that time. The only disciplinary measure was that Hargreaves was barred from running the youth club.

Despite the church’s decision to remain silent, the victim was unable to carry the trauma in silence. She eventually reported the abuse to the police, leading to Hargreaves’s arrest and subsequent trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. During the proceedings, Hargreaves, aged 53 and residing on Clarendon Road in Southsea, admitted to six counts of indecent assault on a female and one count of gross indecency involving a child.

Judge Richard Price sentenced Hargreaves to 18 months in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and imposed a ban on him working with children in the future. The judge criticized the church’s handling of the situation, stating, “For unacceptable reasons, best known to themselves, did absolutely nothing in terms of informing the authorities.”

This case has highlighted significant concerns about the responsibilities of religious and community organizations in safeguarding children and the importance of transparency and accountability in such situations. The community now grapples with the aftermath of this betrayal of trust, and questions remain about how many other cases might have been overlooked or mishandled in the past.