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.
The offences were committed when Kinderman, now 39, was 15 and 16 years old. While at university, he wrote letters to his victims asking for forgiveness, but making reference to ‘behaving inappropriately’.
In her victim statement to the court, the older girl said she felt Kinderman had downplayed what he had done and the effect his actions had had, and that his letters caused nervous breakdowns.
The other victim said the abuse she suffered had left her with a mindset of wanting to please men, leading to a series of unhealthy relationships.
Kinderman, who is married with six children, was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
