Former bishop jailed for sex attacks on boy

A erstwhile bishop has been jailed for sexually abusing a lad implicit a five-year play portion helium was a priest.

Anthony Pierce, who was bishop of Swansea and Brecon betwixt 1999 and 2008, pleaded blameworthy to 5 counts of indecent battle connected a kid nether the property of 16.

The abuse, which included intersexual touching, happened from 1985 until 1990, portion Pierce was a parish clergyman successful West Cross, Swansea.

Sentencing Pierce to 4 years and 1 period successful situation astatine Swansea Crown Court connected Wednesday, Judge Catherine Richards said: "You exploited his property and your presumption of trust."

In 2002, Pierce was made a commandant of the bid of St John, and successful 2010 a knight of the bid of St John, an honour conferred to amusement "exceptional" charitable work successful infirmary settings and for those successful need.

St John Ambulance said helium was nary longer a subordinate of the order.

Pierce stood down arsenic bishop of Swansea and Brecon successful January 2008, aged 67.

He was awarded an honorary fellowship by Swansea University, which the instauration has present said it volition review.

Following the sentencing, Monique McKevitt from the Crown Prosecution Service, described the attacks arsenic "gross maltreatment of spot by a vicar" that traumatised the unfortunate "for galore years".

"Anthony Pierce was a antheral entrusted to preside implicit christenings, funerals, weddings and prayers," she added.