GRIMSBY'S TERENCE ATKINSON SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF SIX BOYS
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Grimsby, a former local minister, Terence Atkinson, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being found guilty of multiple historic sexual offenses involving six young boys.The conviction follows a detailed two-week trial at Lincoln Crown Court, where the jury deliberated for three hours before reaching their verdicts.
Atkinson, aged 70, faced a total of thirteen charges of indecent assault on a male.
However, during the course of the trial, the counts were amended, and he was ultimately convicted on nine of these charges.
He was acquitted of one charge related to a seventh boy, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons.
Throughout the proceedings, Atkinson showed no visible reaction to the guilty verdicts, maintaining a composed demeanor as the court announced its decision.
The sentencing took place on Friday, 23 December, with Judge Simon Hirst presiding.
During the hearing, several impact statements from the victims, now adults, were read aloud, revealing the profound and lasting trauma inflicted upon them.
Judge Hirst emphasized that Atkinson’s abuse was driven by a desire for personal gratification, and he underscored the severe emotional damage caused to each victim.
"The effect of this type of offending always brings trauma.
This is one of the particularly bad consequences of these offences," the judge stated.
In his remarks, Judge Hirst recounted Atkinson’s history within the community, noting that he initially volunteered at a youth club in Grimsby before becoming a paid staff member.
He was dismissed from this role in 1983.
Subsequently, Atkinson became an ordained priest within the Church of England, serving as a prominent youth club leader in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes areas.
Despite his reputation as a man of good character, the judge made it clear that this good character was exploited to facilitate his abusive actions.
The judge also reassured the victims that they should not feel guilt for not coming forward sooner, explicitly stating, "That guilt is your responsibility, not theirs." Defense lawyer Siward James-Moore argued that Atkinson was a man of genuine good standing who had dedicated his life to community service.
He pointed out that the allegations spanned over 25 years, with the most recent incident occurring a quarter-century ago, and emphasized that Atkinson had lived a quiet life in Humberston until his retirement as a priest.
The lawyer also noted that Atkinson was not in frail health, suggesting he could serve his sentence without significant physical hardship.
The prosecution, led by David Webster, detailed how Atkinson initially engaged with boys aged between 10 and 16 through church youth groups, gradually abusing the trust placed in him.
The court heard that Atkinson would invite boys to his various residences, employing tactics such as reading his electric meter or measuring them for football kits, specifically Grimsby Town.
These actions betrayed the trust of the young boys, who were subjected to inappropriate touching and manipulation over a span of more than two decades, with incidents occurring during the 1980s and 1990s.
It was revealed that the allegations only surfaced after many years, with some victims coming forward following police investigations.
Atkinson was questioned by authorities and initially denied any inappropriate conduct.
He later appeared before Lincoln Magistrates, where further victims came forward, and he maintained his denial of any misconduct.
Despite his protests of innocence, the evidence was sufficient for the jury to convict him.
As a result of his conviction, Atkinson will be required to register as a sex offender for life and is disqualified from working with children.
Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order has been imposed, ensuring ongoing restrictions to protect the public from any potential future harm.
The court’s decision underscores the gravity of his offenses and the lasting impact on his victims, who now seek justice and closure after years of silence.
