Jail for Jehovah's Witness

Lancashire/March 19, 1999

A Morecambe man has admitted indecently assaulting a young boy who was a member of his church.

Godfrey Bagnall, 57, of Arnside Crescent, Morecambe, was an elder and pioneer for the Jehovah's Witnesses. He admitted three charges of indecent assault on a boy starting at the age of eight. The court heard how the boy, now and adult, had turned to drugs "as a direct result of the abuse he sustained."

Bagnall was "de-fellowshipped" from the religion after the boy complained but was later re-instated. Mr Stuart Denny, defending, said Bagnall and the boy had a good relationship which Bagnall had taken too far. The Judge, Mr Justice Newman, said: "He deserved better of you."

Bagnall was sentenced to nine months imprisonment for three counts of indecent assault and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.


To see more documents/articles regarding this group/organization/subject click here.