Victim helps police catch abusive Camden priest 30 years after assault
Abusive priest Reginald Dunkling (Met Police handout) Police have praised the bravery of a victim who came forward to help them convict a priest[1] of indecent assault[2] three decades after the attack. The man, who was 17 when he was attacked, spoke to detectives on April 21, 2020 about the abuse which happened in Camden[3] in the 1990s.
He told officers he met Reginald Dunkling while he was working as a priest at his local church in north London. Dunkling was arrested on June 16, 2020, before being released on bail and on September 9, 2021, he was charged with indecent assault. Investigating officer Detective Constable Lucy Dugdale said: "Today's sentencing[4] shows that we will always take this type of offending seriously, irrespective of how many years have passed.
"I would like to praise the victim for finding the courage to contact police; after 30 years, his voice has been heard. "Dunkling used his status within the community to target a teenager who he then assaulted. He abused his position of trust which is wholly unacceptable.
"I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault to speak with police, or any of the charities or organisations that are available, so that they can get the support they need."
61-year-old Dunkling was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court[5] on Friday December 1 to a 12 month community order with two requirements, a curfew for three months and a 25 hours' rehabilitation activity requirement.
He had previously been found guilty of indecent assault on Thursday July 6.
References
- ^ priest (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ indecent assault (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ Camden (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ sentencing (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ Wood Green Crown Court (www.standard.co.uk)