A Strict Baptist pastor has told his congregation he allowed his son-in-law to join the church and later be appointed deacon, despite knowing, since 2009, of his historic child sex crimes.
Ben Kinderman, who grew up in a Baptist household, committed a number of sex offences against two girls aged ten and six more than two decades ago. He admitted four offences and last year was sentenced to three years in prison.
In a letter to his congregation, Philip Brunker, 80, pastor at Ebenezer Strict Baptist Chapel in Clapham, confessed to knowing about the offences in 2009. He did not tell the church until after sentencing had taken place, prompting accusations of a cover up.