A former vicar from Essex, Rev Canon David Tudor, has been permanently dismissed from his position following a Church of England investigation into historical allegations of “sexual abuse”. Mr. Tudor, who served as the team rector for the Parish of Canvey, was initially suspended for five years after being arrested in April 2019 during a police investigation into claims of indecent assault.
However, in August 2022, the police decided not to press charges against Mr. Tudor. Despite this, the Diocese of Chelmsford launched an investigation into the historical allegations, leading to a formal Church of England tribunal. The tribunal concluded with a lifetime prohibition and removal from office for Mr. Tudor.
The allegations involved Mr. Tudor forming relationships with two girls, identified as X and Y to protect their identities, between 1982 and 1989 when they were children. The tribunal found that Mr. Tudor engaged in sexual acts with both girls and failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Mr. Tudor admitted to engaging in sexual acts with one of the girls when she was 16 and 17, although he claimed to have no recollection of the incidents. The tribunal report described his behavior as “sexual abuse” and noted that it was not an isolated incident.
The tribunal also found that Mr. Tudor’s actions towards the girls constituted grooming behavior and acknowledged the lasting impact of the abuse on the victims. Mr. Tudor offered a full apology to both girls during the proceedings.
In addition to the recent allegations, the tribunal mentioned Mr. Tudor’s past legal issues. In 1988, he was acquitted of an indecent assault charge but was later convicted of indecent assault in a separate case. The convictions were later overturned, but the tribunal considered these past incidents in the context of Mr. Tudor’s rehabilitation.
Overall, the tribunal’s decision to permanently dismiss Mr. Tudor reflects the severity of the allegations and the impact of his actions on the victims. The Church of England’s zero-tolerance policy towards sexual abuse underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their misconduct, regardless of their position within the church.