Swansea University fellow convicted of sexually abusing child over five year period

A Swansea University fellow has been convicted of sexually abusing a child over a five year period.

Anthony Pierce abused the boy, between 1985 and 1990, whilst he was a priest.

The 84-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 16

Pierce was a bishop of Swansea and Brecon between 1999 and 2008, but the attacks happened whilst he was a parish priest in West Cross, Swansea.

He also holds a fellowship at Swansea University, something the institution says is currently under review.

A spokesperson for the university told The Cardiff Tab: “Swansea University is aware of the matters raised, and will be reviewing the individual’s status in line with our governance procedures.”

A victim statement was read out to Swansea Crown Court, with the BBC reporting that the victim explained he remembered “exactly how I felt as the abuse took place” and had “an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, as I could not feel the courage to say no”.

He continued by saying: “I have very low self-esteem and self-worth. I do not have friends. I feel trapped as I’m unable to move past the trauma of what happened.”

He also told the court how he had a reliance on alcohol as a teenager, and how the abuse left him unable to form relationships.

The victim said that speaking out gave him an “overwhelming sense of relief”, adding that he felt like he had been “released from something that’s had a hold over me all these years”.

Pierce was sentenced to four year and one month by Judge Catherine Richards who said: “You exploited his age and your position of trust.”

However, Pierce will only spend half of that in prison and the rest he will spend out on licence.

Most Read

Influencer who refused to give crying child her plane seat reveals REAL reason she’s suing

Influencer who’s suing over a screaming toddler on her plane sparks debate about plane etiquette

Harry Potter actor resorts to starting unexpectedly niche OnlyFans account to ‘get out of debt’

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life.

Prosecuting, Dean Pulling said the abuse was “completely uninvited and unwanted”, telling the court the victim said “he felt repelled by what the defendant did to him”.

Jurors also heard how in a police interview, Pierce said he had “no attraction towards children”.

Addressing the defendant, Mr Pulling said: “You were expected to be trusted and respected. Any parent or adult at that time would understandably have trusted that their child was safe with you and you would act in accordance with your professed Christian values. Instead, you began to groom him.”

Defending Pierce, Heath Edwards said the now-convicted child abuser “deeply regrets the behaviour”, adding “there is every risk that this is a defendant who spends the rest of his life serving a custodial sentence”.

The Church in Wales has spoken out about the conviction, saying: “Anthony Pierce has abused his position, disgraced his church and, worst of all, has inflicted appalling and lasting trauma on his victim.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim in this case, who has shown immense courage in reporting what are deeply painful experiences. We offer him the most heartfelt apology for what he has had to endure.”

It was also revealed that there was a different allegation of sexual abuse made against Pierce to the church in 1993, yet it wasn’t brought to police for 17 years.

However, the person involved, who is believed to have been under 18 at the time of the alleged abuse, had died by the time the police were informed of the allegation.

The Church in Wales has said an independent review has begun to look into this.

Furthermore, according to the BBC, the current Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, the Right Reverend John Lomas, has said he will be asking that the church considers deposing Pierce from Holy Orders – the most severe sanction available in the institution.