Note: This article contains references to sexual abuse.
A former deacon and director of a Hemel Hempstead church has been jailed for nine years.
Michael Toms, 61, of Alexandra Road Congregational Church, had previously been found guilty of multiple sexual abuse offences against two girls between 1979 and 1983.
Toms was convicted of one count of rape, six counts of indecent assault, and two counts of indecency with a child at Chelmsford Crown Court on 1 September. He was acquitted on two counts of indecent assault.
The crimes took place when Toms was 15-19 years old. The girls were aged 12-13 when the abuse began.
Toms was sentenced on Tuesday 30 September to nine years in total, of which he will serve at least two-thirds. He showed no remorse in court. The judge said the sentencing reflects the severe mental and psychological impact on the victims.
Although 11 charges were brought against Toms in January 2024, he was appointed a director of the church, which is affiliated with the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), in February of this year.
Alexandra Road Congregational Church previously stated that the church consulted Christian Safeguarding Services (CSS), its safeguarding provider, after learning of the charges brought against Toms last year. According to the church, CSS advised that Toms did not need to step down from serving as a deacon, a role he had held for 29 years, due to the historic nature of the charges. He has now resigned as both a deacon and a director of the church.
The church also said that Toms’ appointment as director in February was solely for administrative reasons related to the church seeking CLG (Company Limited Guarantee) status. It added that Toms had a blameless record and had not shown any signs of suspicious behaviour since the incidents; this was another reason for the decision to keep him in leadership at the church.
In a statement issued at the time of his conviction, a spokesperson for the church said that it “acknowledges with sadness the dreadful impact of these events on all involved.”
And the FIEC said at the time: “We were deeply saddened to learn of this conviction and we grieve for the victims involved... We pray that those affected might know God’s gentle care going forward.”
“Like all churches affiliated to FIEC, Alexandra Road Congregational Church is an independent church in its own right, over which FIEC has no legal or management control. We do, however, expect all member churches to be fully compliant with Charity Commission obligations, and encourage them to follow best practice in areas such as safeguarding.
“In that regard, the church was right to seek outside professional advice when they became aware of this matter and take necessary actions accordingly. We have been in contact with the church and they are committed to implementing ongoing safeguarding measures.”
Help and support
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help is available via: FearFree Support (www.fearfree.org.uk); the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 / safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk; The Samaritans helpline - 116 123; The National Association for People Abused in Childhood napac.org.uk
