Vicar accused of sexually assaulting boys (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Court told cleric gave youngsters cannabis

7:30am Wednesday 7th October 2009 in News By Jenny Loweth

A Bradford Church of England vicar raped and sexually abused boys he met at a youth group and Sunday School, a jury has heard today.

Peter Hedge used his position as vicar to grossly abuse his young victims’ trust and kept them quiet by paying them money, it is alleged.

He is accused of plying some of the boys with cannabis until they became addicted and smoking the drug with them before sexually assaulting them.

Hedge, 47, of Chatsworth Road, Pudsey, denies 36 offences spanning eight years when he was curate of St Margaret’s Church, Thornbury, Bradford, and vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Queensbury.

There are 33 offences of indecent assault on a male person under 16 and three of alleged rape, involving two of the boys.

The trial continues.

• See Wednesday's Telegraph & Argus for more on this case