Police to review case after vicar is struck off

Detectives are preparing to talk to the Church of England after a vicar was struck off over sexual abuse allegations.

David Tudor, who was team rector for the parish of Canvey in Essex, was banned for life by the church authorities on 28 October.

Previously, Surrey Police said it had investigated "non-recent indecent assault offences" against a man in his 60s from Canvey Island, but the Crown Prosecution Service had determined there was insufficient evidence to take the matter to court.

Now, as first reported in the Southend Echo, the force says it will review the case in light of the tribunal result.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said: "The case currently remains closed, but we will be contacting the Church of England to discuss the finding of their tribunal and any new information or disclosures that may have been made to them.

"Anything new will be reviewed alongside material we already hold to ascertain if the case should be further investigated."

The panel heard that Tudor had formed sexual relationships with two girls – including one under the age of 16 – between 1982 and 1989.

The tribunal determined that his behaviour - which happened in Reigate, Surrey, when he was a priest in the Diocese of Southwark – was "an abuse of trust" which amounted to grooming.

Earlier this month the Bishop of Chelmsford told the BBC that lessons "must be learned" as a result of the case.

The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Deqhani welcomed the decision to ban him for life, adding: "I am deeply sorry for the profound hurt and harm David Tudor's behaviour has caused."

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