COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A vicar had 400 indecent images of children in a hidden gallery on his mobile phone, a court heard



The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said 112 of the images that 44-year-old Christopher Goble had were of the "most serious category".

Goble, of Ilmington, Warwickshire, also told of his sexual interest in children in a chat message, the CPS said.

He appeared at Warwick Crown Court where he admitted three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

Goble served within the Coventry Diocese across five parishes and six churches in south Warwickshire.

It is understood that no children from his parish were victims of the offences.

Andrew Crump of CPS West Midlands said: "Christopher Goble is a vicar, who in his position of authority, should have been safeguarding children."

Goble, of The Rectory, Ilmington, will be sentenced in the week beginning 9 December.

In a statement, the Diocese of Coventry offered its "unreserved apology to all those affected by these crimes".

Vicar Christopher Goble jailed over child abuse images

A vicar who had more than 400 indecent images of children has been jailed for 20 months.

More than 100 of the images Christopher Goble had were of the most serious category and he told of his sexual interest in children in a chat message, prosecutors said.

The 44-year-old, of Ilmington, Warwickshire, was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday.

He was also made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Goble, of The Rectory, who in November admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of a child, was also put on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Andrew Crump, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "As the vicar of a church, Christopher Goble was in a position of trust.

"By viewing indecent images of children, Goble abused the trust that had been placed in him by the community."

Goble served within the Coventry Diocese across five parishes and six churches in south Warwickshire.

It is understood no children from his parish were victims of the offences.

A diocese spokesperson said: "We acknowledge how difficult and distressing this has been for so many people.

"The Diocese of Coventry remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of children, young people and adults who look to us for respect and care."

Between 2002 and 2008, Goble was Rector of the Spencer Benefice.

The Diocese of Peterborough, which includes Northamptonshire, said Goble's crimes were a betrayal of the standards expected of all clergy.