Three Lancashire members of Salvation Army jailed for sexual abuse of schoolgirls
Last updated 24th Apr 2018
THREE members of the Salvation Army have been jailed for 13 years and a fourth handed a suspended sentence for a campaign of sexual abuse against two schoolgirls spanning two decades.
The former treasurer of Blackpool Citadel, William Russell Tompkinson, 70, and father and son Trevor Worthington, 88, and Philip Worthington, 64, were found guilty of sexual offences following a trial at Preston Crown Court.
A fourth man, Derek Smith, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault.
All four men attended the Salvation Army Citadel in Coronation Street, Blackpool, when the abuse took place.
The first girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was just 11 years old when Tompkinson first assaulted her as they travelled in a van together from Lancaster to Blackpool.
Between 1971 and 1978, Tompkinson, Smith and Philip Worthington, took advantage of journeys with the youngster in cars and vans, to sexually abuse her.
When she eventually disclosed the abuse to Trevor Worthington in 1978, he too began to abuse her.
However in 2017 a second woman came forward to report she had been sexually assaulted by Philip Worthington between 1988 and 1991.
Investigating officer Simon Morris, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Public Protection Unit, said: “These men completely abused the trust that was placed in them, as members of the Salvation Army.
“To the outside world they appeared to be upstanding members of the church - when in fact they were anything but.
“Tompkinson, Smith and Philip Worthington sexually exploited their victim for their own satisfaction.
“When she eventually confided in Trevor Worthington – a man she ought to have been able to trust – he did not help her, instead using the opportunity to abuse her himself.
“The victims in this case have shown great courage in coming forward and reporting what happened to them more than 40 years ago and there is no doubt the abuse they suffered has had a lasting effect on them.
“I hope today’s sentence brings some comfort and allows them to move on with their lives.”
Tompkinson was convicted of ten counts of indecent assault; Philip Worthington of four counts of indecent assault, indecency with a child and two attempted rape in respect of his first victim, and five counts of indecent assault of the second woman and Trevor Worthington of indecent assault.
Tompkinson, of Raleigh Avenue, Blackpool, was sentenced to four years; Smith, of Hall Park Drive, Lytham, was sentenced to 15 months suspended for two years with supervision and 100 hours unpaid work; Philip Worthington, of Warwick Place, Blackpool, was sentenced to eight years and three months and Trevor Worthington, of Mayfield Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, was sentenced to 12 months. Tompkinson, Smith and Trevor Worthington were placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years. Philip Worthington was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. Simon Morris said: "We encourage any victim of a sexual offence to come forward - no matter how historic. They will be listened to and we will investigate all reports thoroughly.