MS CAUGHT ELDERS REQUIRED TO TESTIFY ABOUT COVERUP!
Thirteen years after Silentlambs exposed the cover up of protecting child molesters within Jehovah’s Witnesses they continue to hurt children. The PR Department denies they protect pedophiles and have continued to do so, yet stories like this show them to be untruthful with their members and the public at large. When you donate to Jehovah’s Witnesses you give money to the “Worldwide Work Fund” you directly support the defense and cover up of pedophilia.
Update Leighton Sentenced!
Jehovah's Witness whose wife died after refusing blood transfusion is jailed for 13 years over child sex abuse covered up by religion's elders
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2400938
Gordon Leighton, 53, confessed to the church he had abused a child in 2009
But abuse was covered up and he later denied the allegations
Judge tells Leighton he manipulated his victim with 'a combination of affection and attention and violence and threats'
By Rob Cooper
PUBLISHED: 09:10 EST, 23 August 2013 | UPDATED: 10:27 EST, 23 August 2013
Jailed: Gordon Leighton who admitted sexually abusing a child and then had his wrongdoing covered up by the church
A Jehovah’s Witness who sexually abused a child and then had his wrongdoing covered up by the church has been jailed for 13 years.
Gordon Leighton, 53, admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted with the allegations by church elders at Washington, Tyne and Wear.
The elders knew about the 53-year-old’s admissions for three years but refused to co-operate with the criminal investigation, and said what they had heard was confidential.
Leighton hit the headlines in the 1990s when his wife Yvonne, 28, died after refusing a blood transfusion after childbirth on religious grounds.
Judge Penny Moreland said that he had subjected his victim to 'untold damage' as she sentenced him at Newcastle Crown Court today.
The judge said: 'You manipulated her with a combination of affection and attention and violence and threats.'
The defendant was found guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault after a trial.
Prosecutor Katherine Dunn told the court it was in 2009 the victim, who is now an adult, broke her silence about what Leighton had done to her.
The court heard that at a special meeting at Lambton Kingdom Hall aimed at 'keeping the congregation clean', Leighton 'admitted sexual abuse' and made excuses for his vile behaviour.
Miss Dunn said: 'The elders conducted their own investigation. A meeting was arranged and the defendant was confronted with the allegations.
'After initially denying the allegations he broke down and admitted sexually abusing the complainant.'
The court heard Leighton, of Washington, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by detectives and claimed his confession at the meeting was limited to reading pornographic material.
Throughout the six-day trial Leighton, a Jehovah’s Witness ministerial servant, denied all the allegations against him and denied he had confessed to the elders.
Leighton, who has since been expelled from the church, had also denied unrelated assault charges of child cruelty, grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm, which he was found guilty of.
Sentencing: Judge Penny Moreland gave Leighton 13 years behind bars when he appeared before Newcastle Crown Court today
Throughout the criminal investigation, church elders Simon Preyser, Harry Logan and David Scott refused to make statements about Leighton’s confession, keeping their stance when the case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court.
Each was then issued a witness summons which they launched a court battle against, but they were ordered to testify by Judge Penny Moreland after months of legal wrangling.
Their barrister Richard Daniels said the men had a 'duty to God' not to breach confidence.
Leighton was also given a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Jehovah's Witness leaders ordered to give evidence in sex scandal trial after claiming they had a 'duty to God not to breach confidence'
Court heard Gordon Leighton confessed to the abuse to church elders
Elders were ordered to testify by judge after months of legal wrangling
For three years trio knew about admission but refused to co-operate
By Anna Edwards
PUBLISHED: 13:33 EST, 16 July 2013 | UPDATED: 13:34 EST, 16 July 2013
Church elders refused to comment on a child abuse scandal because they had a 'duty to God' to keep the sex attacker's confession a secret, a court heard.
Jehovah Witness ministerial servant Gordon Leighton admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted with allegations before elders at his church, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
But during the official police investigation the 53-year-old, who hit the headlines in the 1990s when his wife Yvonne, 28, died after refusing a blood transfusion after childbirth on religious grounds, denied any illegal wrongdoing.
When detectives asked elders Simon Preyser, Harry Logan and David Scott to make statements about the confession, all three refused and said what they had heard was confidential.
The elders knew about the admissions for three years, but refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation, the court heard.
The trio kept that stance when the case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court. Each was then issued with a witness summons.
They then launched a court battle against the summonses but were ordered to testify by Judge Penny Moreland after months of legal wrangling.
Their barrister Richard Daniels said the men had a 'duty to God' not to breach confidence.
He added: 'Privileged communication between members of the congregation and ministers is an absolute right and duty and there is no power in law to breach such a confidence.'
Judge Moreland made an order that the men must reveal what they heard and said: “It is apparent that the three elders who were present when this conversation took place are in possession of relevant evidence as to a point which is of real significance in this case.
'They claim the right of confidentiality, they claim that what they heard said by the defendant during the course of that meeting ought to be subject to privilege, as ministers of religion.'
Judge Moreland refused to withdraw the summonses and said: 'Public interest is clearly in favour of this evidence being given.
'What was said by the defendant on that occasion is of great significance in the trial.'
Jehovah Witness church elder Harry Logan and Simon Preyser (right) who gave evidence in the trial of Gordon Leighton who was found guilty
Jehovah Witness Church Elder David Scott at Newcastle Crown Court
Despite the judge’s ruling, the men refused to make statements to police until just hours before they were called as witnesses before the jury.
Leighton, who has since been expelled from the church at Lampton Kingdom Hall in Washington, Wearside, denied two charges of indecency with a child and
seven of indecent assault.
He was yesterday found guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault.
He was found not guilty of one indecent assault charge, on the direction of the judge.
Judge Moreland remanded him in custody until August 23, when he will be sentenced.
The judge told him: 'You know, I am sure, that the inevitable sentence is one of immediate and lengthy custody.
'You will be remanded in custody in the meantime.'
Prosecutor Katherine Dunn told the court it was in 2009 the victim broke her silence
about what Leighton had done to her.
The court heard at a special meeting, aimed at 'keeping the congregation clean', Leighton 'admitted sexual abuse' and made excuses for his vile behaviour.
Miss Dunn said: 'The elders conducted their own investigation.
'A meeting was arranged and the defendant was confronted with the allegations.
'After initially denying the allegations he broke down and admitted sexually abusing the complainant.'
The court heard Leighton, from Ayton, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by detectives and claimed his confession at the meeting was limited to masturbation and reading pornographic material.
Throughout the six day trial Leighton denied all allegations against him and denied he had confessed to the elders.
He told jurors: 'It never happened.
'It’s all untrue.'
Leighton had also denied unrelated assault charges, which he was found guilty of.
Jehovah's Witness Church Elders Covered Up Sex Abuse By Paedophile
By Kevin Donald Location: Washington
Jehovah's Witness church elders covered up a child sex scandal in their congregation and refused to co-operate with the police.
Ministerial servant Gordon Leighton admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted with allegations before elders at his church.
But during the official police investigation the 53-year-old, who hit the headlines in the 1990s when his wife Yvonne, 28, died after refusing a blood transfusion after childbirth on religious grounds, denied any illegal wrongdoing.
When detectives asked elders Simon Preyser, Harry Logan and David Scott to make statements about the confession, all three refused and said what they had heard was confidential.
The elders knew about Leighton's admissions for three years but refused to co-operate with the criminal investigation
The trio kept that stance when the case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court. Each was then issued with a witness summons.
They then launched a court battle against the summonses but were ordered to testify by Judge Penny Moreland after months of legal wrangling.
Their barrister Richard Daniels said the men had a "duty to God" not to breach confidence.
He added: "Privileged communication between members of the congregation and ministers is an absolute right and duty and there is no power in law to breach such a confidence."
Judge Moreland made an order that the men must reveal what they heard and said: "It is apparent that the three elders who were present when this conversation took place are in possession of relevant evidence as to a point which is of real significance in this case.
"They claim the right of confidentiality, they claim that what they heard said by the defendant during the course of that meeting ought to be subject to privilege, as ministers of religion. "
Judge Moreland refused to withdraw the summonses and said: "Public interest is clearly in favour of this evidence being given.
"What was said by the defendant on that occasion is of great significance in the trial."
Despite the judge's ruling, the men refused to make statements to police until just hours before they were called as witnesses before the jury.
Leighton, who has since been expelled from the church at Lambton Kingdom Hall in Washington, Wearside, denied two charges of indecency with a child and seven of indecent assault.
He was yesterday found guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault.
He was found not guilty of one indecent assault charge, on the direction of the judge.
Judge Moreland remanded him in custody until August 23, when he will be sentenced.
The judge told him: "You know, I am sure, that the inevitable sentence is one of immediate and lengthy custody.
"You will be remanded in custody in the meantime."
Prosecutor Katherine Dunn told the court it was in 2009 the victim, who is now an adult, broke her silence about what Leighton had done to her.
The court heard at a special meeting, aimed at "keeping the congregation clean", Leighton "admitted sexual abuse" and made excuses for his vile behaviour.
Miss Dunn said: "The elders conducted their own investigation.
"A meeting was arranged and the defendant was confronted with the allegations.
"After initially denying the allegations he broke down and admitted sexually abusing the complainant."
The court heard Leighton, of Wigeon Close, Ayton, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by detectives and claimed his confession at the meeting was limited to masturbation and reading pornographic material.
Throughout the six day trial Leighton denied all allegations against him and denied he had confessed to the elders.
He told jurors: "It never happened. It's all untrue."
Leighton had also denied unrelated assault charges, which he was found guilty of.
Gordon Leighton married his first wife Yvonne in 1991 and she gave birth to a baby boy in January 1993.
The 53-year-old told jurors the pregnancy and delivery seemed fine but problems developed in the following days.
Mrs Leighton needed surgical intervention and developed further complications and blood loss.
During her hospital stay the 28-year-old signed a form stating she was not to receive a blood transfusion and died as a result.
Members of the Jehovas Witness church were present at the hospital to ensure medical staff complied with her wishes.
When asked his view on what happened, Leighton said: "I respected her decision and stood by it."
Mrs Leighton died when her son was just two weeks old.
Leighton told jurors his life became a news story because of what happened.
He said: "At the coroner's report at Sunderland Magistrates I was chased down the street by the press with cameras and things didn't settle down, the press found out where I lived and were sort of following me around, jumping out of bushes, knocking on the door with a cheque book for a story."
Leighton said his neighbourhood became "very, very hostile" when word spread about what had happened to his wife and he was branded a "murderer".
He said: "They were doing things like scratching my car, letting the tyres down, putting notes through the door saying 'murderer'.
"It was very, very emotional to have a young child and have all this on top.
"I had a lot of assistance, a lot of people from the Jehova's Witness community were there for me, to help me.
"I was inexperienced with a two-week old baby, the ladies really helped."
Leighton denied the sex abuse charges in court and denied he had confessed to them during the meeting with the elders.
He said: "It never happened. It's all untrue."
Church ‘hushed up’ child sex scandal
GUILTY ... Gordon Leighton has admitted sexually abusing a child while serving as a Jehovah Witness.
Published on the 16 July
2013 11:00
CHURCH officials in the North East hushed up a child sex scandal in their congregation and refused to co-operate with the police, a court heard.
Jehovah Witness ministerial servant Gordon Leighton admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted with allegations by elders at his church, but during a police investigation, the 53-year-old, who hit the headlines in the 1990s when his wife Yvonne, 28, died after refusing a blood transfusion on religious grounds, denied any illegal wrongdoing.
When detectives asked elders Simon Preyser, Harry Logan and David Scott to make statements about the confession, they refused and said what they had heard was confidential.
The elders refused to co-operate with the criminal investigation and kept that stance when the case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court. Each was issued with a witness summons and were ordered to testify by Judge Penny Moreland after months of legal wrangling.
Their barrister, Richard Daniels, said the men had a “duty to God” not to breach confidence.
Judge Moreland made an order that the men must reveal what they heard.
Despite the ruling, the men refused to make statements to police until just hours before they were called as witnesses.
Leighton, who has since been expelled from the church at Lambton Kingdom Hall, in Washington, denied two charges of indecency with a child and seven of indecent assault.
Yesterday, he was found guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault.
He was found not guilty of one indecent assault charge, on the direction of the judge. Judge Moreland remanded him in custody until August 23, when he will be sentenced. Prosecutor Katherine Dunn told the court it was in 2009 the victim, who is now an adult, broke her silence about what Leighton had done to her.
The court heard at a special church meeting, Leighton admitted sexual abuse and made excuses for his vile behaviour.
Leighton, of Wigeon Close, Ayton, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by detectives and throughout the six-day trial denied all allegations against him and that he had confessed to the elders.
Jehovah’s Witnesses hushed up child sex scandal
Gordon Leighton
Published on the 16 July
2013
09:33
CHURCH officials hushed up a child sex scandal in their ranks and refused to co-operate with police.
Jehovah Witness ministerial servant Gordon Leighton admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted by his church elders, a court heard.
But during the official police investigation, the 53-year-old – who made headlines in the 1990s when wife Yvonne, 28, died after refusing a blood transfusion after childbirth on religious grounds – denied any illegal wrongdoing.
And when detectives asked elders Simon Preyser, Harry Logan and David Scott to make statements about the confession, all three refused and said what they had heard was confidential.
For three years, the elders refused to co-operate with the criminal investigation and kept up that stance when the case was brought before Newcastle Crown Court after the victim made a complaint to police.
Each was issued with a witness summons which they fought to overturn before being ordered to testify by Judge Penny Moreland citing public interest.
Their barrister Richard Daniels said the men had a “duty to God” not to breach confidence.
He added: “Privileged communication between members of the congregation and ministers is an absolute right and duty and
there is no power in law to breach such a confidence.”
Judge Moreland said: “It is apparent that the three elders who were present when this conversation took place are in possession of relevant evidence as to a point which is of real significance in this case.
“They claim the right of confidentiality, they claim that what they heard said by the defendant during the course of that meeting ought to be subject to privilege, as ministers of religion.”
Judge Moreland refused to withdraw the summonses and said: “Public interest is clearly in favour of this evidence being given.
“What was said by the defendant on that occasion is of great significance in the trial.”
Despite the judge’s ruling, the men still refused to make statements to police until just hours before they were called before the jury.
Leighton, who has since been expelled from the church at Lambton Kingdom Hall in Washington, denied two charges of indecency with a child and seven of indecent assault.
He was yesterday found guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault. He was found not guilty of one indecent assault charge, on the direction of the judge.
He was remanded in custody until he is sentenced next month but warned he is facing a lengthy spell behind bars.
Prosecutor Katherine Dunn told the court the victim, who is now an adult, broke her silence in 2009.
The court heard how at a special church meeting, Leighton “admitted sexual abuse” and made excuses for his behaviour.
Miss Dunn said: “The elders conducted their own investigation. A meeting was arranged and the defendant was confronted with the allegations.
“After initially denying the allegations, he broke down and admitted sexually abusing the complainant.”
The court heard Leighton, of Wigeon Close, Ayton, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by detectives and claimed his confession at the meeting was limited to masturbation and reading pornographic material.
Throughout the six-day trial, Leighton denied all allegations and that he had confessed to the elders, telling jurors: “It never happened. It’s all untrue.”
Leighton had also denied unrelated assault charges, which he was found guilty of.