The Offender Database reported that Reverend Gordon Rideout, the Sussex Paedophile Priest, was consecrated as a priest in 1962. Subsequently, he was designated as an assistant curate at a church in Sussex, where he served until 1967.
He frequently visited a local Barnardo’s Children’s Home and, in his capacity as chaplain and counsellor to the youth, perpetrated indecent assaults on several boys and girls.
In 1967, Gordon Rideout relocated to an English army camp, assuming the role of chaplain of the church affiliated with the barracks.
He faced allegations of sexual assault by minors during his tenure there but was exonerated following a court-martial.
After his resignation in 1973, he rejoined the Diocese of Chichester as a cleric.
Gordon Rideout was thereafter named Archdeacon of Lewes and Hastings.
This was a prestigious position in which the archdeacon served as the bishop’s ‘eyes and ears.’
Gordon Rideout performed numerous duties and responsibilities on behalf of the bishop, including visiting various parishes.
In May 2013, Gordon Rideout was found guilty of 36 counts of child sexual assault involving 16 victims.
These incidents occurred between 1962 and 1973.
He received a sentence of ten years’ incarceration.
In December 2016, Gordon Rideout admitted guilt to an additional charge of indecent assault against a girl under 16 years of age, resulting in an extra custodial sentence of nine months.
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