A former chaplain to the Queen has been jailed for more than three years after being found guilty of committing a string of offences against a teenage girl.
Cannon Dr Stephen Palmer who was most recently minister at St Congan’s church, Turriff, was jailed for three years following six counts of indecent assault.
Canon Stephen Palmer abused the girl at his home provided by the Church of England when he was assistant curate at Holy Rood in Stubbington in the mid-1970s.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard on each time the 68-year-old abused her – once pushing her against the stairs making her fear she would be raped – he told her no-one would believe her.
But a jury did, finding him guilty of six counts of indecent assault and Palmer is now in prison at the start of a 39-month sentence.
Rt Rev Dr Robert Gilles, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney claims that “comprehensive checks” had been carried out prior to the criminal minister’s Turriff appointment in April 2010.
He added: “We are distressed to hear that Stephen Palmer has has been convicted on charges of indecent assault.
“Our concerns are with everyone who is involved in this situation.”
Palmer preached in Turriff for four years and six months in the north-east before stepping down in October 2014, after charges were brought against him.