COLIN LEMAY SHOLING SOUTHAMPTON LAYS PREACHER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Colin Lemay, a 64-year-old lay preacher from Sholing, Southampton, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sexually abusing a teenage boy. The incident, which occurred over two decades ago, was brought to light only after the victim, now an adult, confided in his father following his marriage.

During the hearing at Southampton Crown Court, it was revealed that the abuse took place when Lemay was actively involved with St Mary’s Youth Church located on St Monica Road in Sholing. The court heard that the misconduct began with a seemingly innocuous remark made by Lemay to a 14-year-old boy while they were at a urinal. This initial comment was followed by a pattern of repeated assaults, which occurred after the boy and Lemay went swimming together on multiple occasions.

The court further learned that Lemay took the young victim on a trip to London, where they visited sex shops in Soho. It was during this visit that Lemay committed a serious sexual offence against the boy. The abuse did not stop there; it was also reported that Lemay assaulted the youth in a field in Guildford, further compounding the gravity of his actions.

The crimes only came to light after the victim decided to speak out. He confided in his father, which prompted them to approach the church’s vicar, Reverend Bruce Hartnell. Following this, Lemay admitted to the allegations, and police were subsequently informed. Lemay’s guilty plea to three charges, including gross indecency and indecent assault, was entered during the proceedings.

As part of his sentencing, Lemay was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. The court was told that he resides on Wingate Drive in Sholing. Judge David Griffiths, who presided over the case, acknowledged Lemay’s previous good character and his cooperation with authorities. The judge also noted Lemay’s “extremely good” work with young people in the past.

Despite these factors, the judge emphasized that the nature of the crimes was a “gross and wholly abuse of trust” placed in Lemay by both the church and the victim’s family. Judge Griffiths expressed that he believed Lemay’s remorse was genuine and that he had a sincere desire to make amends. The court also considered whether to impose a suspended sentence but ultimately decided against it, given the severity of the breach of trust involved.

Richard Onslow, representing Lemay, highlighted that there had been no contact between the offender and the victim since the offences. He pointed out that the crimes had not been repeated and that widespread publicity had not led to any additional complaints. Mr. Onslow requested that the judge consider a non-custodial sentence, describing the case as “exceptional” and emphasizing that Lemay was assessed as not being a risk to the public. He acknowledged that Lemay accepted his actions from many years ago as improper and illegal, and noted that the offender was now of an age where he was unlikely to reoffend.