SEX OFFENDER EDWARD SUTTON'S PAST CONCEALED BY CHURCH IN SEVENOAKS VILLAGE

On November 6, 2009, it was reported that Edward Sutton, a convicted sex offender, resigned from his position as choirmaster at St Botolph's Church in Chevening, a village near Sevenoaks. Sutton, aged 29, had been appointed as an organist and choirmaster despite not undergoing a police check. According to sources, he admitted to having a "murky past" prior to his appointment.

Sutton was jailed in 2004 for two indecent assaults committed against a 15-year-old girl. Nonetheless, he was not subjected to a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check when hired, and he later failed to complete the required CRB paperwork when asked. It is understood that Sutton was led to believe that his criminal history would remain confidential. Church minutes reveal that Sutton confided in some church members that he was on the Sex Offenders Register before starting his role at St Botolph’s.

Church warden Bob Wilkinson explained that a "secret memo" had been signed to keep Sutton's past discreet, aiming to give him a second chance and due to the pressure to appoint an organist. Mr Wilkinson compared the situation to a scene from the film "The Magnificent Seven," saying, "The man jumped into the cactus bush, and when asked why, he said it seemed like a good thing to do at the time. It seemed like a good thing to do back then; we were acting out of Christian charity."

He also admitted that some church members had been told that Sutton met a girl he believed to be over 18 in a nightclub, only to find she was 15. However, court proceedings in Guildford Crown Court in 2004 revealed that Sutton was a teacher who had engaged in a sexual relationship with one of his pupils. Wilkinson said, "He told the rector he was on the Sex Offenders Register. Having told us that, we believed he wanted to make amends, which is why the 'secret memo' was drafted. We recorded it in the church minutes in case something like this happened in the future. We wanted to show Christian forgiveness, but in hindsight, we wouldn’t have agreed if given the chance again."

Parents of children involved in the church choir, the Chevening Songsters, expressed their anger and concern about potential contact with their children. One parent from Dunton Green, who attends St Botolph’s, stated, "I’m not into the lynch-mob mentality, but I do believe in transparency. We need to know these things. I’m very pleased the new vicar stepped in."

Sutton's criminal history was established when he was a teacher in Surrey. He was sentenced in 2004 to a year in prison for two counts of indecent assault against a 15-year-old girl he met at a boarding school. Court reports reveal that he hid in a wardrobe after nearly being caught in bed with the girl when her parents returned early. Later, he returned to bed with her while her parents slept, then sneaked out in the early morning hours. Sutton was also cleared of a charge of rape after the prosecution offered no evidence. Judge John Crocker ordered Sutton to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and barred him from working with children for ten years.

In December 2008, Sutton was appointed to the church role, starting in February when Rev Christopher Johnson was vicar. Rev Johnson retired in February and was succeeded by Rev Chris Smith in September. The new vicar grew suspicious when Sutton reacted negatively to being told he could not marry his fiancée at the church because she was a divorcee. This suspicion led Rev Smith to investigate Sutton’s past by contacting the head of the boarding school where Sutton had worked.

Rev Smith then informed the diocesan authorities, church members, and some of the congregation. The issue was discussed at a Parochial Church Council meeting on September 26, with the minutes noting that Sutton’s resignation was accepted and an apology was issued to Rev Smith and the PCC over the circumstances.

In his resignation letter, Sutton cited the rector’s refusal to marry him as his reason for stepping down. Although he was paid during a three-month notice period, church members asked him not to attend services during this time. Sutton is currently working as a private music teacher in Guildford.

Lindy Mackenzie, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Rochester, stated, "The Diocese of Rochester has a robust child protection policy, which was regrettably not followed in this case. Once Rev Smith recognized there was a breach of child protection procedures, he conducted a thorough investigation."

Sutton told the Chronicle, "I accept responsibility for my past offence. I was employed as organist and choirmaster with the adult choir. I worked there for seven months, which were happy and productive, and I am saddened that it has ended in this manner."

The Rev Christopher Johnson was unavailable for comment.