Rector denies fraud charge
Wednesday, 17th September 2014.
The Rector of Haverhill has pleaded not guilty to defrauding the Suffolk diocese out of more than £13,000.
The Rev Ian Finn appeared in Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to a count of fraud by abuse of position.
It is alleged that between June 1, 2007 and March 1, 2013, Mr Finn paid £13,204 in 'church service fees' to himself, instead of to the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
He was charged on August 20, after being arrested at his home in Hopton Rise, Haverhill, in March.
Speaking outside the court after the brief hearing, Mr Finn, who was supported by a group of friends and church members, said he was 'entirely innocent'.
"I have done nothing criminally wrong and I am confident a jury will clear me of any wrong-doing," he said in a prepared statement.
"The last few months have been a dreadful ordeal and I am grateful to all the friends who are supporting me and share my belief I am innocent."
Sandra Dyer, prosecuting, said the money concerned was supposed to have been paid to the diocese. While it had now been paid back, she said, it still amounted to a breach of trust.
Presiding magistrate Sarah Wenban granted Mr Finn bail until October 2, when he will appear in Ipswich Crown Court.
It was indicated that a trial would be likely to start in February next year.
Mr Finn remains Rector of Haverhill and Withersfield, but has been suspended by the diocese since March, after a public statement to worshippers at St Mary's Haverhill by the Archdeacon of Sudbury, the Ven David Jenkins, which spoke of 'accounting errors'.
The Archdeacon, who was present at Tuesday's hearing, attended a recent meeting of St Mary's Parochial Church Council, along with the acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev David Thompson, where they offered the full support of the diocese to the continuing ministry in the parish until the matter was concluded.
However Archdeacon Jenkins admitted he was aware that the issue had destroyed his own pastoral relationship with the parish, which would be difficult to rebuild.
Over 200 church members from both Haverhill and Withersfield signed a petition of support for Mr Finn in April, which was sent to the bishop.
Several members of Haverhill Town Council, to which he was chaplain, have also given Mr Finn their support, and the Conservative group's leader, Cllr Betty McLatchey, was among those who attended his hearing on Tuesday.
The Rev Ian Finn appeared in Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to a count of fraud by abuse of position.
It is alleged that between June 1, 2007 and March 1, 2013, Mr Finn paid £13,204 in 'church service fees' to himself, instead of to the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
He was charged on August 20, after being arrested at his home in Hopton Rise, Haverhill, in March.
Speaking outside the court after the brief hearing, Mr Finn, who was supported by a group of friends and church members, said he was 'entirely innocent'.
"I have done nothing criminally wrong and I am confident a jury will clear me of any wrong-doing," he said in a prepared statement.
"The last few months have been a dreadful ordeal and I am grateful to all the friends who are supporting me and share my belief I am innocent."
Sandra Dyer, prosecuting, said the money concerned was supposed to have been paid to the diocese. While it had now been paid back, she said, it still amounted to a breach of trust.
Presiding magistrate Sarah Wenban granted Mr Finn bail until October 2, when he will appear in Ipswich Crown Court.
It was indicated that a trial would be likely to start in February next year.
Mr Finn remains Rector of Haverhill and Withersfield, but has been suspended by the diocese since March, after a public statement to worshippers at St Mary's Haverhill by the Archdeacon of Sudbury, the Ven David Jenkins, which spoke of 'accounting errors'.
The Archdeacon, who was present at Tuesday's hearing, attended a recent meeting of St Mary's Parochial Church Council, along with the acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev David Thompson, where they offered the full support of the diocese to the continuing ministry in the parish until the matter was concluded.
However Archdeacon Jenkins admitted he was aware that the issue had destroyed his own pastoral relationship with the parish, which would be difficult to rebuild.
Over 200 church members from both Haverhill and Withersfield signed a petition of support for Mr Finn in April, which was sent to the bishop.
Several members of Haverhill Town Council, to which he was chaplain, have also given Mr Finn their support, and the Conservative group's leader, Cllr Betty McLatchey, was among those who attended his hearing on Tuesday.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)