In 2022, Terence Atkinson, a Humberston Paedophile Priest, was incarcerated for the “systematic abuse” of six boys spanning a 21-year duration.
Terence Atkinson, aged 70, was found guilty of nine charges of indecent assault following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court.
During his trial, jurors learnt that Terence Atkinson volunteered at youth and church organisations, including the Shalom Youth Centre, and was subsequently ordained as a pastor.
In sentencing Terence Atkinson to 10 years, Judge Simon Hirst stated that he had used his position of trust.
Prosecutor David Webster informed the court that Terence Atkinson perpetrated sexual assaults on his victims from 1978 to 1999.
The court was informed that he would bring boys to his residence and use tactics such as lifting them to read his electric meter and measuring them for football kits to touch them inappropriately.
“He violated the trust of these young boys and exploited them,” the barrister stated.
The court also received testimonies from several of Terence Atkinson’s victims, some of whom expressed feelings of shame for failing to disclose the incidents sooner.
Judge Hirst informed the court that the culpability for the incident was “entirely attributable” to the defendant.
“The obligation rests solely with you,” he informed Terence Atkinson.
The court was informed that several of his victims had experienced poor mood and anxiety.
The judge stated, “It is evident that each victim has been impacted in distinct manners,” further noting that Atkinson had inflicted “genuine and enduring harm.”
At Lincoln Crown Court, Atkinson received a lifetime prohibition from engaging in any work involving children.
The judge stated that Terence Atkinson had methodically exploited his victims “solely to achieve sexual gratification for himself.”
The charges emerged in the 1980s and 1990s; however, Terence Atkinson refuted the claims upon initial investigation.
He was re-interrogated in 2019 and subsequently indicted, leading to additional victims emerging following the case’s publicity.
One of the victims had died since the offence, although Terence Atkinson was nonetheless adjudicated guilty of his abuse.
Terence Atkinson, formerly of Tetney Road, Humberston, was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order and permanently prohibited from dealing with children.
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