JOHN BAILEY, FORMER LINCOLN DIOCESE CLERGYPERSON, SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN LEEDS
In September 2017, John Bailey, a former clergyman associated with the Diocese of Lincoln and residing in Kippax, Leeds, was sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing underage girls from the 1950s to the 1980s.Bailey pleaded guilty to 25 charges of indecent assault involving three girls under the age of 14 during an earlier court hearing.
Judge Simon Hirst remarked during sentencing that Bailey’s victims had been profoundly impacted by his actions, stating, "You did real and lasting damage to all of your victims." The court was informed that Bailey committed these offenses between 1955 and 1982 and had attempted to manipulate his victims by writing letters urging them not to report the abuse to authorities.
One of the victims was as young as four years old.
Additionally, it was noted that Bailey has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, which would likely make his time in prison even more challenging.
Judge Hirst emphasized the severity of Bailey’s crimes, stating, "I have had the advantage of reading victim impact statements, and it is clear that in their different ways, they were all profoundly affected by your abuse of them." He further added, "You did it for no other reason other than to gain sexual gratification for yourself," justifying the need for a custodial sentence.
As part of his sentence, Bailey was ordered to register his movements with the police for the remainder of his life.
His arrest was part of Lincolnshire Police’s Operation Redstone, which was initiated following a review of past safeguarding cases by the Diocese of Lincoln.
