TREVOR WARD'S SHOCKING PAEDOPHILE SCANDAL IN MIDDLESBROUGH AND EASTERSEDE

In a significant move towards reconciliation and acknowledgment of past wrongdoings, a formal apology is set to be issued by a bishop in Middlesbrough, twenty years after the disturbing revelation of a paedophile priest who served in the Teesside area. The individual at the center of this controversy is Trevor Ward, a former vicar of St Agnes’ Church in Easterside, who was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison in 1988 for abusing young boys under his pastoral care.

Ward’s heinous actions, which spanned over six years during his tenure at the church, left a deep scar on the community and the victims involved. His crimes came to light in the late 1980s, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction on nine counts of sexual abuse. Despite his incarceration, the impact of his misconduct continued to resonate within the community long after his imprisonment. Ward passed away in December 2006, but the wounds inflicted by his abuse remain a painful chapter in the history of Middlesbrough and Easterside.

Now, two decades later, the Bishop of Whitby, the Right Reverend Robert Ladds, has announced that he will be making a public apology during a special service scheduled for Saturday at St Agnes’ Church. This gesture aims to acknowledge the suffering endured by Ward’s victims and to address the community’s ongoing pain. The bishop expressed his remorse, stating, “Abuse by a priest is a terrible and shocking thing because a vital part of a priest’s work is to reach out with the love of God to people who need help, support or friendship – and so must be worthy of their trust.”

He further added, “I want to offer a deep apology to the individuals who were so badly hurt and the community whose trust was abused by Trevor Ward while he ministered in Easterside, where he did so much harm over six years.” The bishop emphasized the importance of healing and reconciliation, inviting those affected to join the service of reflection and prayer, which is scheduled to begin at 2 pm. The service will include prayers aimed at cleansing the church’s reputation and fostering reconciliation with the Easterside community.

The initiative for this apology was proposed by the current Priest-in-Charge of St Agnes’ Church, the Reverend Margery Grange, who recognized the lingering hurt within the community even after all these years. While the church had cooperated fully with law enforcement and promptly removed Ward from his duties once his crimes were uncovered, it had not previously issued a formal apology for the harm caused. This upcoming event marks a significant step in addressing the past and reaffirming the church’s commitment to safeguarding and trust.

Representatives from the Diocese of York have acknowledged the importance of this act of contrition, stating, “It is appropriate for the church to stand up and say we are sorry that we failed to appoint a good and godly minister there in the Eighties. It takes a long time for hurt that severe to be addressed.” The community and victims are encouraged to participate in this solemn occasion, which aims to bring closure and foster a renewed sense of trust and hope for the future.