Worthing vicar found guilty of child molestation, Hove jury says
Rev. David Renshaw, 63, bragged about corrupting boys with drugs and enjoyed watching animal porn.
A jury found Renshaw guilty after hearing he had more than 22,000 files of indecent pictures and videos on a hard drive.
Police found decomposing dead animals, used needles and drug pipes when they searched his community center, with the RSPCA seizing severely malnourished dogs, cats and chickens.
Renshaw, from Wallace Avenue in Worthing, told other pedophiles online: “I’m a sadistic bastard. Through and through.”
Renshaw, a former chaplain in a juvenile delinquent unit, also wrote “I love corrupting boys with drugs” and talked about flying to Indiana, America to meet a 12-year-old boy and douse him with crystal meth “hit”.
The Reverend also asked another user to offer his three year old to Satan, other chats were also about sacrificing babies to the devil.
The jury at Hove Crown Court heard the reverend say he had few boundaries and could stoop really low.
The court heard it took months to download all of the images and videos found on the hard drive. Each clip had been cataloged and placed in folders with names like Kids and Gay Kids.
Police also found dozens of porn DVDs when they searched his home.
The Church of England minister tried to claim he hadn’t had time to download all the pictures and videos, telling police: “Sermons don’t write themselves.”
After his crimes were discovered, Renshaw attempted to frame his own sons, telling police they had access to his computers.
In statements read in court, his sons said they were saddened and disappointed that their own father had identified them as potential suspects.
The Hove jury found Renshaw guilty of six counts of taking and possessing indecent images of children, possessing extremely pornographic images of bestiality and possessing prohibited images of children.
Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant David Rose, said: “During this investigation, Renshaw has attempted to blame anyone but himself.
“He has failed to accept or take any responsibility for his actions, which I’m sure the local community he represents would be appalled.
“Searching his address was one of the most heinous tasks our officers have ever endured.
“A dead, decomposing kitten and a dead, decomposing rat were lying on the ground alongside malnourished live animals, as well as used needles and other drug paraphernalia lying around.
“It was a deeply awkward scene to search through.
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“It was also a particularly harrowing experience for the officer who had to sift through and evaluate each image, something that will stay with him for the rest of his life.”
Advice was offered to the members of the jury after listening to the graphic descriptions of the downloads.
Renshaw was ordained in Lichfield Diocese in 1985 and was appointed priest in charge of Christ Church Worthing in December 2019.
He was on sick leave and in the hospital for a long time when the police searched his home on August 11, 2020.
He was cautioned by police in May 2021 for possession of Class A and B drugs.
In response to the convictions, a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Chichester said: “We are aware that David Renshaw, Vicar of Holy Trinity and Christ Church Worthing, was found guilty today of eight counts of possession of indecent pictures of children. He’s awaiting sentencing.
“Sussex Police contacted the Chichester Diocese Protection Team in June 2020 to inform them that Mr Renshaw was under investigation in relation to these matters.
“The Bishop of Chichester, Dr. Martin Warner suspended Mr. Renshaw as part of the ecclesiastical disciplinary action immediately following the execution of an arrest warrant addressed to Mr. Renshaw.
“He has not been on active duty since. The Diocese has been working closely with Sussex Police throughout this investigation.
“Mr. Renshaw’s appalling crimes included possession of thousands of obscene images.
“Following his conviction, further action will now be taken against him under the Ccergy disciplinary measure.
“Bishop Warner recognizes the duty of care to the congregation and will continue to offer pastoral support.”
Renshaw is due to be sentenced next month.
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/crime_courts/23307378.worthing-vicar-guilty-child-sexual-offences-hove-jury-finds/?ref=rss Worthing vicar found guilty of child molestation, Hove jury says
