Adrian C Malton, an unattached member of the North-West district, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 29 May 2009. He pleaded guilty to 4 counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14 dated between Jan 1988 and June 1990, and not guilty to 4 other similar counts from the same period. He pleaded guilty to 5 counts of possessing indecent photographs of children, dating between 1999 and 2007, and not guilty to one count of sexual assault (touching of a sexual nature) dating from 2006. All the non guilty pleas were to be held on file. Mr Malton was placed on the sexual offenders register, and granted continued conditional bail until sentencing, which is now scheduled for 13 July 2009. Mr Malton was warned by the judge to expect a custodial sentence.
All District Masters and Secretaries were immediately contacted, and asked to pass back to the senior officers any opinions and feedback expressed to them by members with regard to Mr Malton, and his relationship with the Association.
The senior officers of the Association met on Monday 6 July, and consider that it is now apparent that the current participation of Mr Malton in ringing activities taking place under the name of the Association is proving prejudicial to its good name, and is tending to bring the Association into disrepute, both within and outside Essex. Furthermore, I now believe that I committed an error of judgement as Master in not standing down from a pre-arranged peal at Chelmsford Cathedral on 31 May 2009, when Mr Malton was a member of the band.
As Master I am responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the Association. There is no procedure for termination of membership in the current rules. However, in consultation with the other senior officers, I have decided to suspend Mr Malton's membership of the Association. Mr Malton was informed of this decision on Tuesday 7 July, and the suspension takes place from that date. This decision will be brought before the Executive Committee for discussion at their meeting on 10 Oct 2009. The Executive Committee has full powers on matters not provided for in the rules.
At the meeting on Monday 6 July the senior officers discussed with the Association Child Protection Officer what further actions are appropriate to the circumstances, particularly with regard to our obligations as trustees of a charity. These actions will be communicated to members through the most appropriate channels in due course.
BRIAN MEADS - MASTER
