JONATHAN ROSE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN MANCHESTER: PAEDOPHILE EX-ELDER'S REIGN OF TERROR AT JEHOVAH'S WITNESS MEETINGS

In a disturbing series of events that have sent shockwaves through the Manchester community, Jonathan Rose, a former elder of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation, has been at the center of a scandal involving child abuse and inappropriate conduct. The revelations detail a pattern of abuse that not only involved criminal acts but also disturbing interactions during church meetings, where victims were subjected to further trauma.

In May 2014, Rose was convicted and sentenced to nine months in prison for abusing two young girls, aged five and ten, within the confines of the congregation he was associated with. The victims, who had come forward after a third woman publicly accused Rose on Facebook of molesting her as a teenager, relived their painful experiences in front of him during church-organized meetings. Rose, who resided in Manchester’s New Moston area, was released early from jail in March of that year, raising serious questions about the church’s handling of such allegations.

The victims were told that if they wished to see Rose barred from participating in church activities, they would need to recount their traumatic experiences before a panel of elders. Shockingly, during these meetings, Rose was permitted to question the women about the abuse he was convicted of, with eight elders present as witnesses. An anonymous source revealed that prior to each meeting, the women were read a scripture about false witnesses and were advised to consider it carefully. They were then required to detail their abuse, with one victim even asked if she had enjoyed the experience, a question that underscores the disturbing nature of these proceedings.

On at least one occasion, Rose was present during the third meeting, where he interrogated the women in detail about their experiences. Witnesses reported that no intervention was made to stop what appeared to be bullying or intimidation tactics, which would be unacceptable in a court of law. The victims had already testified in court, with elders present, yet they were compelled to relive their ordeals again in these church settings. It was made clear that unless they cooperated, Rose would not be disfellowshipped, a form of excommunication within the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

It is understood that Rose was ultimately disfellowshipped after authorities and the Charity Commission filed complaints. The Jehovah’s Witnesses organization acknowledged the meetings but stated that Rose is no longer a member and is not permitted to participate in any church activities. They emphasized that no one is forced to confront an alleged perpetrator and that victims are supported through spiritual shepherding, with the welfare of members being their top priority.

A church spokesperson explained, “You ask about allowing individuals such as Mr. Rose to attend our congregation meetings. As our congregations are places of public worship, they are open to the public. Nevertheless, elders will always comply with restrictions imposed by the courts or police on offenders’ movements. When a Jehovah’s Witness is accused of child abuse, local elders are expected to investigate. If a victim wishes to address a matter, this can be done directly or in writing. No victims are forced to attend a meeting or confront an alleged perpetrator of child abuse. Of course, it may not be possible to handle a matter in the congregation until investigations are complete or the individual is incarcerated. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not condone child abuse, as it is an abhorrent crime.”

Earlier, in October 2013, Jonathan Rose was sentenced to nine months in prison after being found guilty of molesting two young girls. The court heard that Rose, then 27, had gained the trust of the victims’ families before targeting their daughters. His youngest victim, just five years old, was groped in her own home, while the older girl, aged ten, was subjected to a sexual kiss. Rose’s criminal history included an earlier accusation from 1995, when he was accused of indecently assaulting a teenage girl he met through the church. Although he was acquitted at that time, the subsequent Facebook revelation and new evidence led to his conviction for two counts of indecent assault.

During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that Rose, who is married with children, continued to deny any wrongdoing. He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order. The court also learned that Rose had participated in church investigations into the second victim when she was a teenager, during which her normal teenage behavior was mischaracterized as inappropriate sexual conduct by elders.

Supporters from within the Jehovah’s Witness community presented letters to the court, expressing disbelief or disagreement with the verdict. However, Judge David Stockdale QC condemned Rose’s actions, stating, “You are now utterly disgraced – even though many members of that community still place a great deal of faith in you. The Jehovah’s Witnesses uphold very high standards of moral behavior – you deviated altogether from those standards.”

The family of Rose’s first victim recounted their experience of being encouraged to keep silent and even cover up the abuse. They claimed that after the 1995 trial, they were ostracized and told to leave the congregation when they voiced concerns. Her father told the Manchester Evening News, “They held a meeting where they stood on a platform and said no-one should ever take a ‘brother’ to court. They dismissed our complaint as something that happened between teenagers. We were ostracized, and then told to get out of the congregation after the trial.”

In response, a Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson stated, “Everyone has become more aware of how to deal with these issues in recent years. In no way would the Jehovah’s Witnesses purposefully try to protect anyone who is accused of serious crimes.”

These revelations have cast a long shadow over the church’s reputation and have raised serious concerns about the safeguarding procedures within the organization, especially in Manchester, where the incidents took place. The community and authorities continue to scrutinize the handling of such cases, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.