MAXWELL HALLAHAN, FORMER VICAR IN COWES, JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE

In July 2014, Maxwell Hallahan, a retired vicar from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, was sentenced to 21 months in prison after being convicted of abusing a 13-year-old boy during the 1970s. The abuse occurred while he served as vicar at St Faith's Church and happened over a period of approximately three years from 1974 to 1977. This sentencing follows a previous conviction for similar offences in 2011.

The court also ordered that Hallahan be subject to a ten-year registration period on the Sex Offender Register and imposed a Safeguarding Order.

Richard Powell, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service's Wessex Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit (RASSO), stated: “Maxwell Hallahan abused his position of authority as vicar in his parish. He exploited the trust placed in him by the victim, who was only 13 years old when the abuse began, to carry out these offences over several years.

“Hallahan had already been convicted of similar offences in 2011. There is no doubt that he is a sexual predator who, during his time as a 'pillar of society,' did not hesitate to take advantage of young boys.

“The victim has shown incredible bravery in coming forward after living with the trauma for many years. We hope this case encourages other victims to report abuse to the police. The CPS Wessex RASSO Unit works closely with law enforcement to pursue and prosecute such cases relentlessly.

“We trust that this prosecution will provide some measure of closure to the victim of these abhorrent crimes.”