28 November 2024
On 11 November, David Pickthall a former school teacher and choir master, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for 29 offences over a period of more than forty years. The offences relate to 19 people the majority of whom were boys at the time.
Two of the offences, which were committed against one person, relate to David Pickthall’s role as Organist and Choir Master at St Laurence Church Upminster in the early 1980s.
Commenting on David Pickthall’s conviction, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have suffered as a result of David Pickthall’s horrific abuse, and we are deeply sorry for the suffering and hurt caused through his actions while he was at St Laurence in the early 1980s.
Since our diocesan safeguarding team were made aware of the police investigation into David Pickthall’s case, they have liaised closely with Essex Police and the relevant statutory authorities.
Our primary concern throughout has been for those who were abused by David Pickthall and we have followed the advice and lead of Essex Police in not naming St Laurence Church, in order to reduce the risk of victim identification.
Now that the name of the church has been put into the public domain by others, we have issued this statement following consultation with Essex Police.”
The Diocese of Chelmsford is aware that David Pickthall played the organ on a freelance basis in churches from different denominations in Essex, East London and other parts of the country. While none of the other offences for which David Pickthall has been convicted took place in a church context, the lead police officer in this case does not believe David Pickthall’s offending is limited to the 19 people involved in this investigation and we repeat the request of Essex Police, that if anyone has any information relating to this matter, they should contact Essex Police quoting the crime reference number 42/238353/21.
You can let them know by submitting a report on Essex Police website or by using the police online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
Visit the Essex Police website to find out more about their online reporting services.
If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
