An investigation has uncovered a series of alleged safeguarding failings linked to an east Belfast church where a man with 45 convictions was appointed as a lay pastor.

Joe Turner took up the role with the Church of Ireland at St Brendan’s in Sydenham in 2017 – shortly after an assault in which he was said to have broken the ribs of a man in his 70s. He was convicted of assault later that year.

Turner has said he rejected the suggestion his criminal past was relevant to his suitability for the role he held at the church.

The Church of Ireland did not comment on the allegations in relation to Turner, but said it took its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously.

BBC Spotlight interviewed a number of whistleblowers as part of a programme examining safeguarding issues within the Church of Ireland – from both the past and more recent years.

Turner was appointed as a so-called commissioned lay worker at St Brendan’s, but said his role was to act as a pastor for the east Belfast parish.

Spotlight has seen a confidential church report, which outlined numerous concerns about his behaviour.

The report was compiled in response to a serious allegation made against Turner in late 2019 by a vulnerable woman in the parish.

He was placed on a precautionary suspension while the Church of Ireland carried out an internal review.

Read it all at the BBC