Worthing paedophile vicar caught after image shared in New Zealand

David Renshaw, 63, was found to have 22,504 indecent images after his email address and IP address were linked to an image on a file sharing site.

Renshaw, of Wallace Avenue in Worthing, was found guilty of eight offences including possession of indecent images of children. He was also found with extreme pornographic images of intercourse with dogs and horses.

Sussex Police Detective Sergeant David Rose said: “The search of his address was one of the most revolting tasks our officers will ever have to endure.

“As well as malnourished living animals, there was also a dead rotting kitten and a dead rotting rat on the floor, in addition to used needles and other drug paraphernalia lying around. It was a deeply unpleasant scene to search.

Christ Church in Worthing (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

“It was also a particularly harrowing experience for the officer who had to sift through and grade each image, something that will stay with him for the rest of his life.”

An account attributed to Renshaw was discovered on a filesharing website in New Zealand in June, 2019. So officials at the National Crime Agency were alerted and they passed the case on to Sussex Police.

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A jury at Hove Crown Court heard how Renshaw, a vicar at Christ Church in Grafton Road in Worthing, had also spoken online about sacrificing babies to Satan.

Renshaw, a former chaplain in a youth offender unit, also wrote “I love corrupting boys with drugs” and discussed flying to Indiana in America to meet a 12-year-old boy and “slam” him with crystal meth.

The jury at Hove Crown Court found Renshaw guilty of three counts of possessing indecent images of children; three counts of making indecent images of children; possessing prohibited images of children; and possessing extreme pornographic images portraying acts of intercourse with animals.

A spokeswoman for The Diocese of Chichester said: “We are aware that David Renshaw, vicar of Holy Trinity and Christ Church Worthing, was today found guilty of eight offences of possession of indecent images of children. He is awaiting sentencing.

"Sussex Police contacted the Diocese of Chichester’s safeguarding team in June 2020 to inform them that Mr Renshaw was being investigated in relation to these matters.

"The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, suspended Mr Renshaw under the clergy discipline measure immediately following the execution of a warrant at Mr Renshaw’s address.

A mugshot of Renshaw (Image: Sussex Police)

"He has not been in active ministry since then. The diocese has cooperated closely with Sussex Police throughout this investigation.

"Mr Renshaw’s appalling offences involved the possession of thousands of obscene images.

"Following his conviction, further action will now be taken against him under the Clergy discipline measure.

"Bishop Warner recognises the duty of care to the parish and will continue to offer pastoral support."

Renshaw has been bailed until sentencing on Monday, March 13.