Former vicar named in abuse case

He regularly abused a young boy along with another vicar Colin Pritchard, from Bexhill, who was this week jailed for five years for sex offences against boys when he was at a church in Northamptonshire.

Cotton, who died in 2006, served in the Diocese from 1971. He was priest in charge of St Andrew's from 1974-76 then became vicar up to 1984, after which he was rector of Brede with Udimore.

The case against both men came to light when one of the victims, now 39, decided to tell police what had happened to him. An investigation was launched and a second victim found.

Sixty-four-year-old Pritchard, who lives in Bexhill, was this week jailed for five years at Northampton Court.

The court heard Pritchard and Cotton had been friends and Pritchard visited him in Eastbourne. Anglican rector Cotton also introduced Pritchard to one of the victims.

The child was abused by both men but prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence to charge Cotton before his death.

However, when the victim was interviewed by police investigating another victim's complaint there emerged an alliance between Pritchard and Cotton, who knew about each other's relationships with the two children.

The victim told police of a New Year's Eve party when he became drunk in a house with both Cotton and Pritchard and woke up naked with no recollection of how he lost his clothes.

This week the Chichester Diocese said it was dismayed at the court case.

A spokesperson said, "We take child protection very seriously and have co-operated fully with the police in their inquiries.

"The crimes were a betrayal of the standards expected of clergy, and we offer our sympathy to the victims of the crimes and their families. Appropriate pastoral support is available to them. A full review of this case will be undertaken."