Church caretaker jailed for child sexual abuse six years after previous attacks
A convicted sex offender who was hired as a church caretaker has been sentenced for further sexual crimes against adolescent girls.
Edward Hanbury abused a young member of his family and other young girls who were members of the church between 2018 and 2020.
He would isolate the girls and sexually abused them on multiple occasions in alleyways, homes, at the church and even during service.
The cleaner had previously been sentenced to four years in prison in August 2012, in relation to sexual abuse committed while acting as a football coach. As part of his sentence he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life and banned indefinitely from working with children.
After he served his prison sentence, Hanbury moved to Gloucestershire and a church hired him as a caretaker and cleaner. The church would have been aware Hanbury was on the sex offender’s list but members of the church were unaware of Hanbury’s criminal history.
The church failed to protect members of his congregation and even provided Hanbury with a key in an incredibly irresponsible move. While the church had safeguarding measures in place, it ultimately failed to take care of its young members who have been severely impacted by Hanbury’s abuse.
A man banned from working with children should have never been allowed such access children, and certainly not without close supervision. The trust the church placed in Hanbury, that saw them provide a key to him, was grossly misplaced.
Hanbury, who had 15 previous convictions, initially pleaded not guilty. At the beginning of the second day in court, after one of the victims had already been cross examined, Hanbury pleaded guilty to seven charges. The prosecuting barrister noted these were the most serious of the crimes.
The Honourable Judge Lowe at Gloucester Crown Court agreed, noting that while he would sentence on the seven counts he admitted, the selection in effect represented the totality of the crimes alleged.
Hanbury was jailed for a total of seven years and eight months with Judge Lowe saying Hanbury acted in the “most disgraceful, callous, selfish manner with no regard for the victim”.
The families of the victims were justifiably outraged at how low the sentence feels in comparison to the severity of impact.
There will also be restraining order for 15 years which the parties are able to extend, and very likely an additional sexual harm prevention order, the terms of which are to be finalised later today.
We act for two of the victims and I had the opportunity to listen to two of the victim personal statements. The impact on these young girls is heartbreaking. The harm should never have happened.
Judge Lowe remarked on the depravity of Hanbury’s crimes. Hanbury was also under the influence of alcohol, and Judge Lowe further noted the disgraceful use of alcohol to assist in carrying out his violence.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we understand justice may not end in the criminal court. We are specialists in representing survivors of abuse and you can contact us for free and confidential legal advice. We understand how difficult it is to speak out, especially when institutions have failed to protect you or those you love. We are here to listen and to help you get the justice and recognition you deserve.
