
Former priest admits to child abuse-related offences
A former priest who was bound by a sexual harm prevention order has admitted to discussing having sex with children in online chat rooms.
Timothy Gardner, 52, of Littlemore, Oxford, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to multiple child abuse-related offences, including encouraging or assisting the sexual assault of a child under 13, failing to comply with notification requirements, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
Gardner, a former priest and close associate of Bishop Robert Byrne, who resigned in December 2022 amid safeguarding concerns, used the online chat service Chat IW under aliases including ‘Matt’ and ‘Family Doctor’ to discuss abuse.
He further violated his SHPO, which had been issued in September 2022, by failing to inform authorities of bank cards and additional online nicknames and refusing police access to two SD cards.
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) reported that Gardner’s inappropriate association with Byrne granted him unrestricted access to diocesan premises, posing significant safeguarding risks. Gardner, who remains in custody, will be sentenced on March 14, and a new SHPO has been imposed, restricting his use of internet-enabled devices.
Abuse, in any form, can have devastating and long-lasting effects on survivors, impacting their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are committed to supporting survivors of abuse in seeking justice. Whether the abuse occurred in an institutional setting, by someone in a position of trust, or elsewhere, our Abuse team is here to ensure voices are heard and to help individuals access the support and compensation they deserve.