On Wednesday 10 July, Revd Jonathan Fletcher appeared at Wimbledon Magistrate’s Court charged with eight counts of Indecent Assault on a man aged 16 or over and one further count of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent.
The case has been referred to Kingston Crown Court, where Mr Fletcher is now due to appear on 7 August 2024.
Jonathan Fletcher retired as minister of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon in 2012. Mr Fletcher has not held permission to officiate in the Diocese of Southwark since 2017 and currently holds no authority to minister in the Church of England.
The Diocesan Safeguarding team continues to offer support to those affected by this matter and has liaised with the police in the course of their investigations.
Support
Anyone affected by this case is advised to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team but support is available via the following organisations:
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. Safe Spaces helpline: 0300 303 1056
The UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
The Archbishops’ Council has established an Interim Support Scheme to improve the Church’s response to current and non-current survivors of Church-related abuse. This Scheme is part of the Church’s recognition that harm has been caused by both that abuse itself, and the Church’s responses to survivors. This Scheme is not intended to provide compensation or restitution to survivors, nor is it a redress scheme. The Scheme is intended to give immediate help and support to survivors whose life circumstances are significantly affected by the abuse suffered, and the response to it. The Scheme is designed to address immediate and urgent needs that help in the short-term to put the survivor’s life back on track.
The National Redress Scheme will be for survivors and victims of Church-related abuse. It does not matter where you live now, or where the abuse or hurt you experienced occurred, when the Scheme opens you are encouraged to apply. As well as financial redress, eligible applicants will be offered therapeutic, spiritual and emotional support, acknowledgment of wrongdoing on the part of the Church, apology and support.
