Vicar faces abuse charges

The Rev Colin Pritchard, now 63, was vicar of St Barnabas Church at the time of the major fire there in November 2005.

Previously he was a curate in Duston until 1980 and in charge of St Andrew's Church, Wellingborough until 1989.

He denies charges made against him and faces a summer trial.

Mr Pritchard appeared at Northampton Crown Court

Originally charged with a single offence of conspiracy to commit indecent assaults, he now faces nine substantive allegations against three boys, who cannot be named by law.

The unmarried former vicar, who now lives in the town, pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy to commit indecent assaults with the Rev Roy Cotton, who has since died, four indecent assaults on a young boy, three indecencies with a child and an attempted serious sexual assault between December 1979 and November 1983.

The court had previously heard the allegations surfaced when a former member of the church confided with his vicar in Northampton about concerns over sending his children to a church-run school, making disclosures about alleged abuse at the hands of Pritchard.

The rector encouraged him to contact the police and then took him to Weston Favell police station to talk to officers.

Two further complainants came forward once officers sent out letters to parishioners with one man making allegations about Cotton, another Anglican rector who died in 2006.

Anne Cotcher QC, prosecuting, told Judge Christopher Metcalf that the three boys were all aged under 16 at the time but were now in their 40s, and would be giving evidence at an eight-day trial in July.

Judge Metcalf said: "If you fail to turn up to your trial, you will be committing an offence punishable with imprisonment and it is important you keep in touch with your solicitors."

Pritchard, who retired on health grounds in 2006, had his permission to officiate within the Church of England suspended when the allegations came to light.

The judge released him on conditional bail to stay each night at his home and that he has no contact with children, unless they are supervised by a parent or guardian.