ERITH PAEDOPHILE PASTOR RAYMOND PULMAN TRIES TO KILL HIMSELF AFTER ABUSE REVELATION

In April 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Raymond Pulman, a man with a history of criminal behavior who had transitioned into a pastoral role. Pulman, who resided at Marler House, Barnett Close, in Erith, Kent, was confronted with the consequences of his past actions, leading to a desperate attempt at self-harm. The incident occurred in August 2015, when Pulman attempted to take his own life following revelations of his abusive conduct.

During the proceedings at Downpatrick Crown Court, Judge Brian Sherard was informed that Pulman, aged 58 at the time, had also disclosed his abusive actions to his psychiatrist. This confession was a pivotal moment in the case, as it confirmed the allegations against him. Pulman later pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a teenage girl, with the offenses taking place over a period spanning from January 1, 1999, to July 8, 2001.

Prosecutor Laura Ievers detailed the nature of the abuse, stating that Pulman had touched the girl’s private parts over her clothing and on her bare leg multiple times. The victim was between the ages of 12 and 14 at the time of these incidents, which marked a grave breach of trust and a serious criminal offense.

The court heard that after his suicide attempt, Pulman confided in his psychiatrist about his misconduct. The psychiatrist, upon learning of the allegations, alerted the police. During police interviews, Pulman expressed a profound sense of guilt but also attempted to justify his actions by blaming the Army for exposing him to pornography, which he claimed influenced his behavior.

In his own words, Pulman described himself as a “weak man” and claimed that the teenage girl had “flirted with him,” which he used to rationalize his inappropriate conduct. The victim, upon learning of Pulman’s confessions, described the revelation as having “pulled the rug out from under her,” a metaphor for the shock and devastation she experienced. Despite this, she proceeded to make a formal complaint and provided an account that largely aligned with Pulman’s own admissions.

Further revelations emerged from probation reports, which indicated that Pulman had admitted to seeking out indecent images of underage girls. Although he was not charged with offenses related to this behavior, authorities indicated that they were seeking a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to restrict his activities further.

Judge Sherard decided to release Pulman on bail until May 8, pending further submissions. The court will consider the appropriate sentence after reviewing additional evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution and defense. The case highlights the serious consequences of abuse and the complex issues surrounding accountability and justice for victims.