A disgraced former Presbyterian minister caught with indecent images of children tried to have his identity withheld from publication, with the now former moderator Reverend Trevor Gribbon providing a letter for the court stating his congregations had not been informed of the pending charges.
The letter was deployed in November 2021 during an application for anonymity when Press argued the church congregations would – or should – have been made aware of the court proceedings.
Defence lawyers said they requested the letter which was provided by “Reverend Trevor Gribben as Clerk on behalf of the Presbyterian Church” in support of their application for a reporting restriction, by emphasising the congregations had not been told.
Matthew Simpson (63), whose address remained on court papers as his former manse of Orritor Presbyterian, Cookstown throughout most of the proceedings, later moved to Antrim.
He admitted three counts each of possessing and distributing indecent images of children, with offending occurring between August 2016 and February 2017, while he was minister of two Cookstown churches.
Police conducted a search of Simpson’s manse and seized a laptop from his study which contained six indecent child images, one at Category A and five at Category C.
Using a pseudonym, he engaged with another “correspondent” requesting images of a young person.
He was arrested, replying no comment to all questions, but admitted the offences at arraignment before Dungannon Crown Court.
Defence counsel described him as, “a man hitherto of impeccable character. Now there is an indelible stain on that character. These were a mere handful of images. Offending is low in terms of magnitude and gravity.”
A pre-sentence report would find Simpson still distanced himself from his offending.
Judge Brian Sherrard pointed out every such image is abusive and, “The possession and particularly exchange of such material, perpetuates the exploitation of vulnerable children.”
Addressing Simpson, he said, “At the time of offending you were serving as a Presbyterian minister … Your actions have provoked a seismic fall from grace in terms of your career and calling and standing in the community. But these were self-inflicted unlike the children who unfortunately and sadly are abused for the purposes of this imagery. The court’s primary concern will always be for the welfare of children caught up in this terrible cycle of abuse.”
A two year Probation Order was imposed and Simpson will remain on the Sex Offender Register for five years.
The PCI was asked why Simpson’s congregations were not notified and a spokesperson replied, “It is exceptionally important to be very clear that on both a societal level and from a biblical position, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland condemns absolutely, and without hesitation, all forms of abuse against children. This includes the viewing or distributing of abusive or indecent images, and everything related to it.”
It was contended church authorities stood down Simpson from all duties when police investigations began, ensuring no involvement with the congregations from that point onwards, “even though there was no clarity as to the nature of the investigations or the issues involved”.
When police had sufficient evidence, “Simpson was suspended in line with procedures and chose to resign”.
The spokesperson contended: “Court-imposed reporting restrictions meant they were unable to name (Simpson) or say anything that might indirectly identify him. Steps were however taken to ensure he was no longer involved in ministry.”
It was also noted Simpson previously denied all charges.
But Press challenged this as, while there were interim reporting restrictions due to Simpson’s threat of self-harm should he be identified, they applied only to media and were successfully overturned.
The PCI was asked why Revered Gribbon provided the letter to Simpson’s lawyers which the spokesperson stopped short of answering, instead simply confirming the correspondence stated that the former congregations “had not been informed of the charges”.
With recent developments the PCI was asked if Simpson’s case was considered within their safeguarding review
The spokesperson replied, “As there is now a criminal investigation taking place, where this may or indeed may not be a part of, we are unable to comment.”
