An Essex vicar has been stood down by the Diocese of Chelmsford following his arrest for possession of child pornography. The Rev. Peter Low (64), vicar of the United Benefice of Heybridge with Langford was charged by Essex Police with three counts of possession of indecent images of children and one count of possession of a prohibited image of a child. Mr. Low was released on conditional bail and is to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on 1 March 2017. The diocese released a statement saying: “‘Mr Low was suspended from all his duties as a vicar by the Bishop of Chelmsford immediately the Bishop was informed of the investigation, and he remains suspended. The diocese strives to uphold the highest standards in safeguarding policy, training, practice and disciplinary action. The online abuse of children destroys childhoods and devastates society. It is not tolerated by the Church. Mr Low will face a Church investigation under the Clergy Discipline Measure once the criminal case has been concluded.”
