The Church of England has been accused of covering up child sex abuse carried out by a former choirmaster.
The Church of England has been accused of covering up child sex abuse carried out by a former choirmaster.
Peter Halliday, 61, from Farnborough, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of boys in Hampshire in the late 1980s.
Peter Halliday, 61, from Farnborough, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of boys in Hampshire in the late 1980s.
BBC News has learned he admitted to the offences 17 years ago but left the Church quietly on condition he had no more contact with children.
BBC News has learned he admitted to the offences 17 years ago but left the Church quietly on condition he had no more contact with children.
The Church of England said it now had "robust" child abuse policies.
The Church of England said it now had "robust" child abuse policies.
Dormitory abuse
Dormitory abuse
Halliday, who is married, was also ordered to pay all three victims £2,000 each, after admitting to 10 counts of abuse at an earlier hearing at Winchester Crown Court.
Halliday, who is married, was also ordered to pay all three victims £2,000 each, after admitting to 10 counts of abuse at an earlier hearing at Winchester Crown Court.
The Church can be seen to have done the best it could The Reverend Mark Rudall
The Church can be seen to have done the best it could The Reverend Mark Rudall
He abused the boys who were in his church choir between 1985 and 1990.
He abused the boys who were in his church choir between 1985 and 1990.
Judge Ian Pearson banned Halliday from working with children and said he would be put on the Sex Offenders Register, both for life.
Judge Ian Pearson banned Halliday from working with children and said he would be put on the Sex Offenders Register, both for life.
Following Halliday's sentencing, the Reverend Mark Rudall, of the diocese of Guildford, said: "I can imagine there is anger on behalf of some of those victims and our heart goes out to them.
Following Halliday's sentencing, the Reverend Mark Rudall, of the diocese of Guildford, said: "I can imagine there is anger on behalf of some of those victims and our heart goes out to them.
"But I think also that in accordance with the way things were done in those days the Church can be seen to have done the best it could."
"But I think also that in accordance with the way things were done in those days the Church can be seen to have done the best it could."
The bishop who dealt with the case told BBC News the situation would have been dealt with differently if it had happened today.
In 1990 a young chorister at St Peter's Church in Farnborough told his parents his choirmaster had abused him repeatedly during a period of several years, and he was not the only victim.
In 1990 a young chorister at St Peter's Church in Farnborough told his parents his choirmaster had abused him repeatedly during a period of several years, and he was not the only victim.
When your first sexual experience is a 40-year-old man forcing himself on you it's pretty horrific One of the boys Halliday abused
When your first sexual experience is a 40-year-old man forcing himself on you it's pretty horrific One of the boys Halliday abused
His parents told the vicar, who consulted the bishop - but rather than call the police the churchmen advised Halliday he should leave quietly and agree to have no more contact with young children.
His parents told the vicar, who consulted the bishop - but rather than call the police the churchmen advised Halliday he should leave quietly and agree to have no more contact with young children.
One of the boys Halliday abused, who was 10 years old at the time, told BBC News: "It was both when I was alone with him and there were others there.
One of the boys Halliday abused, who was 10 years old at the time, told BBC News: "It was both when I was alone with him and there were others there.
"It happened in his house when I was alone with him having individual tuition, but it also happened on trips. It even happened when I was in dormitories with other boys.
"It happened in his house when I was alone with him having individual tuition, but it also happened on trips. It even happened when I was in dormitories with other boys.
"I was horrified. When your first sexual experience is a 40-year-old man forcing himself on you it's pretty horrific."
"I was horrified. When your first sexual experience is a 40-year-old man forcing himself on you it's pretty horrific."
Terrified victim
The victim thought he had escaped Halliday when the choirmaster left his job in 1990, but he met him again in 1993 on a residential music course where young choirboys were staying and was scared for himself and his friends.
He thought he had escaped Halliday when the choirmaster left his job in 1990, but he met him again in 1993 on a residential music course where young choirboys were staying.
The bishop at the time of the abuse, David Wilcox, said they would deal with such a situation differently now because court and police systems had developed.
The victim said: "I went on a residential course and he was there and obviously it was pretty horrific to see him again.
Things were very different then Bishop David Wilcox
"I was just aghast to see him there. Younger brothers of friends of mine were there. Other friends were there. I was scared for myself but also terrified for them."
The bishop, David Wilcox, said they had sought to act in the best interests not only of the Church but of the family and everybody concerned at the time.
He told BBC News: "Things were very different then and I think that we make the mistake of trying to read back what we now know and how we would now do things.
"I don't think we had that knowledge or that experience and I don't think the court systems and the police systems were geared up as they are today."
'Robust policies'
'Robust policies'
Halliday continued to work with young boys, as a singer with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM).
Halliday continued to work with young boys, as a singer with the Royal School of Church Music, which said the child abuse was "entirely unconnected" with the school.
In a statement, the RSCM said the child abuse was "entirely unconnected" with the school.
"We have policies and procedures in place which accord with the best practice in child protection and safety and continue to monitor, review and update these regularly," it said.
It was only when Halliday was charged last year with indecently assaulting children that he gave up his work with the school.
It was only when Halliday was charged last year with indecently assaulting children that he gave up his work with the school.
They've always had this attitude of dealing with allegations internally Richard ScorerChild abuse lawyer
Church of England national safeguarding adviser, the Reverend Pearl Luxon, who is responsible for child protection issues, said the Church had "robust policies in place" to deal with child abuse.
Church of England national safeguarding adviser, the Reverend Pearl Luxon, who is responsible for child protection issues, said the Church had "robust policies in place".
Child abuse lawyer Richard Scorer said the Church had not dealt very well with child protection until recent times, but that things were improving.
She said: "In the past practices varied and we would not react in the way we would have appeared to have done then.
"Police and social services would be told of the matters immediately nowadays if these things occurred.
"These matters are always reviewed after they occur and we learn from our mistakes and our good practice is improved at all stages when these matters are looked at."
'Better systems'
Child abuse lawyer Richard Scorer said things were improving in the Church.
He said: "The Churches, both Catholic and Anglican, have not dealt well with child protection, certainly until very recent times.
"They've always had this attitude of dealing with allegations internally. I think that is changing but it has been a problem for many years.
He added: "Things are changing within the Churches in terms of child protection. Better systems are in place."
In a statement, the Church of England said it was committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within the Church community.
In a statement, the Church of England said it was committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within the Church community.
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If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can contact us using the form below. Your message will not be published.
