York's leading Methodist today apologised on behalf of his Church to the victim of a perverted minister.

Stuart Burgess, chairman of the church's York and Hull district, spoke after former Methodist minister John Price was jailed for nine months for indecent attacks in the 1980s on the victim, a schoolboy of 14.

"On behalf of the Methodist Church I offer apologies and sympathy for the wrong he has endured," said Mr Burgess. "I hope he will be supported by the church and all those close to him."

He added: "The Rev John Price has not exercised his ministry since June 1998 and now faces a prison sentence.

"We all stand in need of forgiveness and I hope that John Price, his wife and daughter will be supported by Church, family and friends."

Hull Crown Court heard how Price, 64, hypnotised the 14-year-old in the vestry of his church before indecently assaulting him.

Jailing him, Judge Michael Mettyear said: "It is every parent's nightmare that a child will be abused by a person within whom they have put their faith. You did it for your own sexual gratification.

"I have to pass a sentence sufficient to show this sort of behaviour is not acceptable."

David Gordon, prosecuting, told the court that Price was a minister at the Methodist Church in Chapmangate, Pocklington, when the indecent assaults occurred, between January 19, 1983, and January 18, 1985.

The prosecution had alleged that Price indecently assaulted the boy both at his manse in Beech Court, Pocklington, and at the church.

Price left Pocklington in 1989 to be a minister at Kirk Oswald, near Penrith, Cumbria, before retiring in August last year.

After the allegations came to light, Price told police he wanted to "admit all the allegations made against him."

But he later said his admission was a "mistake", and said he had been unwell at the time of the interview.

Earlier, the courtroom heard the retired minister, of Rodney Terrace, Masham, near Ripon, deny any "sexual impropriety" with the teenage boy while he was a serving clergyman.

He also claimed that a confession made to police was "the most stupid mistake I have ever made."

Price denied 12 charges of indecent assault on the boy over a period of two years, starting in January 1983, when the boy was 14 years old.

Bryan Cox, mitigating told the courtroom: "It is not an understatement to say there are two sides to this man's character.

"Any period in custody will be exceedingly difficult for him.

"Even a short period of custody will be far greater punishment for him than many."

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