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A former school chaplain in South Staffordshire has been jailed after he admitted historic child sex offences.
Edward Phillip-Smith, aged 73, of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court today (19 January) after he pleaded guilty to two counts of incite a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency and one count of indecent assault on a boy under 14.
We started investigating him after he was reported to us in February 2023. He was arrested at his home in May 2023 and questioned by officers in custody.
After being charged with the offences, he pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing before being sentenced today to two years and six months in prison. He was also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Detective Constable Gemma Grimshaw, from our rape and serious sexual offences team (RASSO), said: “I hope this serves as a message to any survivors of child sexual offences that they will be listened to, supported by specialist officers and spoken to in confidence. We are passionate about delivering justice, no matter how recent the offences may be.
“I’d like to thank those who came forward and their families for their exceptional bravery in supporting this investigation throughout and helping us secure the conviction.”
Our specially-trained officers are here to speak to survivors of child sexual offences, no matter how recent it may have been. Get in touch with us by calling 101, or message us using Live Chat on our website.