Vicar admits two child sexual abuse offences

Andrew Leatherbarrow had been due to face trial at Liverpool Crown Court

A Merseyside vicar has admitted two child sexual abuse offences.

Rev Andrew Leatherbarrow had been due to face trial but changed his plea during an appearance at Liverpool Crown Court earlier.

Leatherbarrow remains suspended from his post at All Saints Church in Stoneycroft.

He will be sentenced on 14 October.

The 56-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted sexual communication with a child to obtain sexual gratification between 30 January and 8 February 8 last year.

The first count related to a 12-year-old girl and the other involved a 13-year-old girl.

Rev Leatherbarrow remains suspended from his post at All Saints Church in Stoneycroft

He has previously denied another similar charge involving a 14-year-old girl and also attempting to cause a child aged between 13 and 15 to watch a sexual act, and making a Category C indecent image.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said those charges would not be pursued and Leatherbarrow was formally found not guilty of a sixth charge of possessing a prohibited image after no evidence was offered.

Judge Simon Medland KC told the white haired defendant, who wore a dark grey suit, that he had had “enormous good sense” to change his pleas and the sentence will be “significantly lighter than otherwise would have been the case”.

He advised Leatherbarrow, of Saints Close, Old Swan, to “speak candidly” with the probation officer who will prepare a pre-sentence report.

The vicar previously served as assistant curate at St Ann's Parish Church in Rainhill, St Helens.