GILLEON PRENTICE SENTENCED IN EASTON AND ST GEORGE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG BOYS

In July 2011, a disturbing case unfolded involving Gilleon Prentice, a church youth worker who was found guilty of sexually abusing two underage boys. The offenses took place at his residence, and the case drew significant attention from the local community in Easton and St George.

Prentice, who was actively involved with a youth group at Chelsea Baptist Church located in Easton, would invite teenage boys to his home under the pretense of social gatherings and parties. However, during these visits, he engaged in inappropriate and sexual misconduct, as revealed during the court proceedings. The victims, whose identities remain protected due to their age at the time of the abuse, were under 16 when the incidents occurred. Now adults, they came forward with their complaints after Prentice had left his role at the church, prompting a police investigation.

Gilleon Prentice, aged 49 and residing on Hudd’s Vale Road in St George, admitted to two counts of indecent assault. The court also found him guilty of an additional four charges related to similar misconduct. The court heard that Prentice would lure the young boys to his home and then proceed to touch them sexually, exploiting his position of trust as a youth worker and church leader.

During the trial, Prentice initially denied all allegations but later pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges involving one of the boys. The court convicted him on these charges and found him guilty of the remaining four. His defense attorney, Jennifer Tallentire, argued that the offenses stemmed from a misguided sense of genuine affection and that her client had maintained a good character prior to these incidents. She emphasized that since the offenses, Prentice had been of long-standing good character and had withdrawn from youth work years earlier. She also noted that he continued to be involved with the church but had not exhibited any further signs of offending.

Judge David Ticehurst, presiding over the case, sentenced Prentice to two years in prison. In his remarks, the judge described the case as a tragedy—both for the victims, who suffered abuse at the hands of someone they trusted, and for Prentice himself, who had built a responsible life prior to these events. The judge acknowledged that there were specific circumstances that led to the offenses but emphasized that Prentice’s life, which had been law-abiding and respectable, had been significantly disrupted by his actions.

As part of his sentence, Prentice was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having contact with minors for the next ten years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the same period.

Following the sentencing, one of the victims expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “I think the sentence was far too light and it is difficult, knowing the stuff I know. The whole process has been a learning curve.” The victims also expressed gratitude to the police for their support throughout the investigation.

Detective Constable Andy Coggins, who led the police inquiry, described Prentice as a manipulative individual who abused his trusted position over several years while working as a church leader. He praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward and emphasized that justice had been served. Coggins urged anyone who might have been a victim of sexual assault, whether in the past or present, to contact specialized police officers to seek help and support, reinforcing the importance of speaking out against abuse.