ANTHONY WHITE AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN EAST SUSSEX
A Roman Catholic priest named Anthony White has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences committed against a teenage boy.The crimes took place in East Sussex, but specifically involved incidents that occurred at an address in Horsham, where White was residing at the time as an assistant priest at St John's Church.
White's misconduct includes two counts of indecent assault and a charge of buggery.
The offences are dated back to the early 1990s, a period during which White was actively serving at the church and living in Horsham.
The gravity of the allegations led to a significant legal case, culminating in a prison sentence of ten years and six months for the sexual assault charges.
In addition to this primary sentence, the 64-year-old, now residing in Cross-In-Hand, Heathfield, was also handed five-year prison sentences for each of the indecent assault counts.
These sentences are to run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.
According to the authorities, White is expected to serve approximately two-thirds of his total sentence in custody before being considered for parole or release.
The lengthy incarceration duration underscores the seriousness with which the justice system approached these allegations.
Detective Constable Yvonne Daddow, who was involved in the case, provided insight into the investigation process and the victim’s experience.
She explained that White had developed a relationship with the boy through the boy’s family, who regularly attended the church.
Over time, White gained the boy’s trust, leading the teenager to visit White’s home in Horsham under the pretext of helping with household chores.
It was during these visits that White committed the initial assault, reportedly plied the boy with alcohol and subsequently raped him.
Further adverse encounters followed, involving additional sexual assaults.
The victim endured these traumatic experiences in silence for nearly three decades.
It was only when he watched a television documentary about misconduct by priests that he felt compelled to come forward and disclose what had happened to him.
His willingness to speak out was supported by specially trained police officers, and the investigation received full cooperation from church authorities, facilitating a thorough inquiry.
Detective Constable Daddow expressed gratitude to witnesses who came forward to support the case, emphasizing her commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how much time had passed since the offences.
She reaffirmed the police’s dedication to investigating abuse allegations and providing support to victims, no matter the circumstances.
The case was initiated after detectives from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit began their inquiry in 2020, following an initial report received by police.
The investigation shed light on these long-standing offences, leading to the eventual conviction and sentencing of Anthony White, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address and combat abuse within institutions in East Sussex.
