Eastbourne preacher 'told woman not to report abuse'

An evangelist Christian preacher from East Sussex urged a victim of sexual abuse not to report the man responsible to the police, the BBC has learned.

Ian Jackson told Lina Barnes he would not support her if she reported that Gospel Hall Brethren preacher Allan Cundick assaulted her at the age of 12.

Mr Jackson, from Eastbourne, said he was only concerned for her progress.

But Ms Barnes, 33, who sought advice from him last year, said he wanted to protect the Church.

Cundick, from the Woking area of Surrey, received a police caution in June 2011 and was placed on the sex offenders register for two years.

Simon Bass, of the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service, said Mr Jackson's actions went against good safeguarding practice and biblical principles of justice.