News RSS Feed


Not guilty - priest cleared of indecency charges

3:53pm Friday 29th February 2008

comment Comments (35)   Have your say »


A PRIEST accused of abusing young boys in Bury has been cleared of all charges.

John McCollough was found "not guilty" this afternoon (Friday Feb 29) at Bolton Crown Court of 11 indecent assaults and one act of gross indecency against a child.

The jury of seven men and five women was out from 10.30am to 3.45pm today, and returned not guilty verdicts.

Mr McCollough told the Bury Times: "I am extremely relieved. At the end of the film US Marshal, Wesley Snipes was asked the same question "how do you feel?", and his response was "righteous"."

Mr McCollough had been accused of performing sex acts with young boys while he was an Anglican rector at Christ of King with Holy Trinity Church in Spring Street, Bury, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He denied the charges throughout.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourThis Is Lancashire

gillian eagle, bury says...
6:51pm Fri 29 Feb 08

I would like to say that the reporting of the case of father john mccollough by the bury times has beeen disgraceful. To put this marvelous priest on the front page with the unfounded ridiculous accusaations against him was disgusting. I hope now that father john has rightly been found innocent of all charges the headlines will now reflect this and centre on all the good work that father john did for his parishoners and the town of bury. I also hope that the two lying young men who brought these disgusting accusations against him are named and shamed and will face police action themselves. I would like to say to these dispicibale individuals - father john tryed to help you and it is you to that will rot in hell for making this mans life a misery. God bless father john.

Report this post »

gillian eagle, bury says...
6:51pm Fri 29 Feb 08

I would like to say that the reporting of the case of father john mccollough by the bury times has beeen disgraceful. To put this marvelous priest on the front page with the unfounded ridiculous accusaations against him was disgusting. I hope now that father john has rightly been found innocent of all charges the headlines will now reflect this and centre on all the good work that father john did for his parishoners and the town of bury. I also hope that the two lying young men who brought these disgusting accusations against him are named and shamed and will face police action themselves. I would like to say to these dispicibale individuals - father john tryed to help you and it is you to that will rot in hell for making this mans life a misery. God bless father john.

Report this post »

gillian eagle, bury says...
6:51pm Fri 29 Feb 08

I would like to say that the reporting of the case of father john mccollough by the bury times has beeen disgraceful. To put this marvelous priest on the front page with the unfounded ridiculous accusaations against him was disgusting. I hope now that father john has rightly been found innocent of all charges the headlines will now reflect this and centre on all the good work that father john did for his parishoners and the town of bury. I also hope that the two lying young men who brought these disgusting accusations against him are named and shamed and will face police action themselves. I would like to say to these dispicibale individuals - father john tryed to help you and it is you to that will rot in hell for making this mans life a misery. God bless father john.

Report this post »

gillian eagle, bury says...
6:51pm Fri 29 Feb 08

I would like to say that the reporting of the case of father john mccollough by the bury times has beeen disgraceful. To put this marvelous priest on the front page with the unfounded ridiculous accusaations against him was disgusting. I hope now that father john has rightly been found innocent of all charges the headlines will now reflect this and centre on all the good work that father john did for his parishoners and the town of bury. I also hope that the two lying young men who brought these disgusting accusations against him are named and shamed and will face police action themselves. I would like to say to these dispicibale individuals - father john tryed to help you and it is you to that will rot in hell for making this mans life a misery. God bless father john.

Report this post »

gillian eagle, bury says...
6:51pm Fri 29 Feb 08

I would like to say that the reporting of the case of father john mccollough by the bury times has beeen disgraceful. To put this marvelous priest on the front page with the unfounded ridiculous accusaations against him was disgusting. I hope now that father john has rightly been found innocent of all charges the headlines will now reflect this and centre on all the good work that father john did for his parishoners and the town of bury. I also hope that the two lying young men who brought these disgusting accusations against him are named and shamed and will face police action themselves. I would like to say to these dispicibale individuals - father john tryed to help you and it is you to that will rot in hell for making this mans life a misery. God bless father john.

Report this post »

A, says...
12:06pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Anyone who knows the background to this case knows what a waste of taxpayers' money it has been, probably £100,000s.

That money would be better spent protecting the public by providing more prison spaces for real criminals.

Report this post »

A, says...
12:06pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Anyone who knows the background to this case knows what a waste of taxpayers' money it has been, probably £100,000s.

That money would be better spent protecting the public by providing more prison spaces for real criminals.

Report this post »

A, says...
12:06pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Anyone who knows the background to this case knows what a waste of taxpayers' money it has been, probably £100,000s.

That money would be better spent protecting the public by providing more prison spaces for real criminals.

Report this post »

A, says...
12:06pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Anyone who knows the background to this case knows what a waste of taxpayers' money it has been, probably £100,000s.

That money would be better spent protecting the public by providing more prison spaces for real criminals.

Report this post »

A, says...
12:06pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Anyone who knows the background to this case knows what a waste of taxpayers' money it has been, probably £100,000s.

That money would be better spent protecting the public by providing more prison spaces for real criminals.

Report this post »

Derram Attfield, says...
12:53pm Sat 1 Mar 08

I should like to add to Ms Eagle's comments about the unbelievably bias way in which the Bury Times has reported this trial. After three days of the prosecution we read of the prosecution's case; after five days of the defence where the acuser's own mother called him a liar, as did the police at one stage, and his forteen previous convictions were read out (includind violent crime), the Bury Times again outlined the prosecusion's case. Several current photographs were taken of Fr McCollough throughout the trial but a dated one of him wearing an old mack suited Bury Times' reporting best. What a shame the Bury Times is run under such unprofessional and base lines. Shame on the Editor and the Pondlife who feeds him with inaccurate stories.

Report this post »

Derram Attfield, says...
12:53pm Sat 1 Mar 08

I should like to add to Ms Eagle's comments about the unbelievably bias way in which the Bury Times has reported this trial. After three days of the prosecution we read of the prosecution's case; after five days of the defence where the acuser's own mother called him a liar, as did the police at one stage, and his forteen previous convictions were read out (includind violent crime), the Bury Times again outlined the prosecusion's case. Several current photographs were taken of Fr McCollough throughout the trial but a dated one of him wearing an old mack suited Bury Times' reporting best. What a shame the Bury Times is run under such unprofessional and base lines. Shame on the Editor and the Pondlife who feeds him with inaccurate stories.

Report this post »

Derram Attfield, says...
12:53pm Sat 1 Mar 08

I should like to add to Ms Eagle's comments about the unbelievably bias way in which the Bury Times has reported this trial. After three days of the prosecution we read of the prosecution's case; after five days of the defence where the acuser's own mother called him a liar, as did the police at one stage, and his forteen previous convictions were read out (includind violent crime), the Bury Times again outlined the prosecusion's case. Several current photographs were taken of Fr McCollough throughout the trial but a dated one of him wearing an old mack suited Bury Times' reporting best. What a shame the Bury Times is run under such unprofessional and base lines. Shame on the Editor and the Pondlife who feeds him with inaccurate stories.

Report this post »

Derram Attfield, says...
12:53pm Sat 1 Mar 08

I should like to add to Ms Eagle's comments about the unbelievably bias way in which the Bury Times has reported this trial. After three days of the prosecution we read of the prosecution's case; after five days of the defence where the acuser's own mother called him a liar, as did the police at one stage, and his forteen previous convictions were read out (includind violent crime), the Bury Times again outlined the prosecusion's case. Several current photographs were taken of Fr McCollough throughout the trial but a dated one of him wearing an old mack suited Bury Times' reporting best. What a shame the Bury Times is run under such unprofessional and base lines. Shame on the Editor and the Pondlife who feeds him with inaccurate stories.

Report this post »

Derram Attfield, says...
12:53pm Sat 1 Mar 08

I should like to add to Ms Eagle's comments about the unbelievably bias way in which the Bury Times has reported this trial. After three days of the prosecution we read of the prosecution's case; after five days of the defence where the acuser's own mother called him a liar, as did the police at one stage, and his forteen previous convictions were read out (includind violent crime), the Bury Times again outlined the prosecusion's case. Several current photographs were taken of Fr McCollough throughout the trial but a dated one of him wearing an old mack suited Bury Times' reporting best. What a shame the Bury Times is run under such unprofessional and base lines. Shame on the Editor and the Pondlife who feeds him with inaccurate stories.

Report this post »

avril vale, manchester says...
2:31pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Now that Fr McCollough has been rightly found 'not guilty' on all counts what steps will be brought to bear to
a)refund the financial losses that Fr Mccollough has sustained over the last 18 months
b) make sure Fr Mcollough's good name is restored and that he as least receives an apology from the those who tried really hard to wreck his life
c) Punish those responsible for making these false allegations who have not had their names dragged through the gutter press, who have had their legal fees paid for by us tax payers and
d) make sure that the press who, as usual, have enjoyed a salacious and biaised reporting of the case apologise unreservedly for the damage they contributed



Report this post »

avril vale, manchester says...
2:31pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Now that Fr McCollough has been rightly found 'not guilty' on all counts what steps will be brought to bear to
a)refund the financial losses that Fr Mccollough has sustained over the last 18 months
b) make sure Fr Mcollough's good name is restored and that he as least receives an apology from the those who tried really hard to wreck his life
c) Punish those responsible for making these false allegations who have not had their names dragged through the gutter press, who have had their legal fees paid for by us tax payers and
d) make sure that the press who, as usual, have enjoyed a salacious and biaised reporting of the case apologise unreservedly for the damage they contributed



Report this post »

avril vale, manchester says...
2:31pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Now that Fr McCollough has been rightly found 'not guilty' on all counts what steps will be brought to bear to
a)refund the financial losses that Fr Mccollough has sustained over the last 18 months
b) make sure Fr Mcollough's good name is restored and that he as least receives an apology from the those who tried really hard to wreck his life
c) Punish those responsible for making these false allegations who have not had their names dragged through the gutter press, who have had their legal fees paid for by us tax payers and
d) make sure that the press who, as usual, have enjoyed a salacious and biaised reporting of the case apologise unreservedly for the damage they contributed



Report this post »

avril vale, manchester says...
2:31pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Now that Fr McCollough has been rightly found 'not guilty' on all counts what steps will be brought to bear to
a)refund the financial losses that Fr Mccollough has sustained over the last 18 months
b) make sure Fr Mcollough's good name is restored and that he as least receives an apology from the those who tried really hard to wreck his life
c) Punish those responsible for making these false allegations who have not had their names dragged through the gutter press, who have had their legal fees paid for by us tax payers and
d) make sure that the press who, as usual, have enjoyed a salacious and biaised reporting of the case apologise unreservedly for the damage they contributed



Report this post »

avril vale, manchester says...
2:31pm Sat 1 Mar 08

Now that Fr McCollough has been rightly found 'not guilty' on all counts what steps will be brought to bear to
a)refund the financial losses that Fr Mccollough has sustained over the last 18 months
b) make sure Fr Mcollough's good name is restored and that he as least receives an apology from the those who tried really hard to wreck his life
c) Punish those responsible for making these false allegations who have not had their names dragged through the gutter press, who have had their legal fees paid for by us tax payers and
d) make sure that the press who, as usual, have enjoyed a salacious and biaised reporting of the case apologise unreservedly for the damage they contributed



Report this post »

Geoff, Rammy says...
6:33pm Mon 3 Mar 08

I'm confused. Please could someone tell me why would these 2 men make false accusations against this Priest? What have they got to gain? Did they know each other beforehand and made up this story to try and get compensation from the Catholic church?

Report this post »

Geoff, Rammy says...
6:33pm Mon 3 Mar 08

I'm confused. Please could someone tell me why would these 2 men make false accusations against this Priest? What have they got to gain? Did they know each other beforehand and made up this story to try and get compensation from the Catholic church?

Report this post »

Geoff, Rammy says...
6:33pm Mon 3 Mar 08

I'm confused. Please could someone tell me why would these 2 men make false accusations against this Priest? What have they got to gain? Did they know each other beforehand and made up this story to try and get compensation from the Catholic church?

Report this post »

Geoff, Rammy says...
6:33pm Mon 3 Mar 08

I'm confused. Please could someone tell me why would these 2 men make false accusations against this Priest? What have they got to gain? Did they know each other beforehand and made up this story to try and get compensation from the Catholic church?

Report this post »

Geoff, Rammy says...
6:33pm Mon 3 Mar 08

I'm confused. Please could someone tell me why would these 2 men make false accusations against this Priest? What have they got to gain? Did they know each other beforehand and made up this story to try and get compensation from the Catholic church?

Report this post »

Andrew, Bury says...
4:46pm Thu 6 Mar 08

Bit harsh to attack the Bury Times for naming the accused. It's standard practice for all criminal cases - and I'm sure many people, whether found innocent or guilty would prefer that not to be the case. Remeber too that cases are tried in public - so anyone can attend - and the Press has always covered arrests and court cases and indeed regard it as their duty. Having said that though I personally would prefer, in cases like this, that names were not made public until after a conviction. Not just because some revel in the salaciousness of allegations, but because people tend to draw conclusions once someone is charged, regardless of the outcome and there ois always a danger that such allegations have malicious intent - and that even if someone is found innocent guilt is still assumed by some.

Report this post »

Andrew, Bury says...
4:46pm Thu 6 Mar 08

Bit harsh to attack the Bury Times for naming the accused. It's standard practice for all criminal cases - and I'm sure many people, whether found innocent or guilty would prefer that not to be the case. Remeber too that cases are tried in public - so anyone can attend - and the Press has always covered arrests and court cases and indeed regard it as their duty. Having said that though I personally would prefer, in cases like this, that names were not made public until after a conviction. Not just because some revel in the salaciousness of allegations, but because people tend to draw conclusions once someone is charged, regardless of the outcome and there ois always a danger that such allegations have malicious intent - and that even if someone is found innocent guilt is still assumed by some.

Report this post »

Andrew, Bury says...
4:46pm Thu 6 Mar 08

Bit harsh to attack the Bury Times for naming the accused. It's standard practice for all criminal cases - and I'm sure many people, whether found innocent or guilty would prefer that not to be the case. Remeber too that cases are tried in public - so anyone can attend - and the Press has always covered arrests and court cases and indeed regard it as their duty. Having said that though I personally would prefer, in cases like this, that names were not made public until after a conviction. Not just because some revel in the salaciousness of allegations, but because people tend to draw conclusions once someone is charged, regardless of the outcome and there ois always a danger that such allegations have malicious intent - and that even if someone is found innocent guilt is still assumed by some.

Report this post »

Andrew, Bury says...
4:46pm Thu 6 Mar 08

Bit harsh to attack the Bury Times for naming the accused. It's standard practice for all criminal cases - and I'm sure many people, whether found innocent or guilty would prefer that not to be the case. Remeber too that cases are tried in public - so anyone can attend - and the Press has always covered arrests and court cases and indeed regard it as their duty. Having said that though I personally would prefer, in cases like this, that names were not made public until after a conviction. Not just because some revel in the salaciousness of allegations, but because people tend to draw conclusions once someone is charged, regardless of the outcome and there ois always a danger that such allegations have malicious intent - and that even if someone is found innocent guilt is still assumed by some.

Report this post »

Andrew, Bury says...
4:46pm Thu 6 Mar 08

Bit harsh to attack the Bury Times for naming the accused. It's standard practice for all criminal cases - and I'm sure many people, whether found innocent or guilty would prefer that not to be the case. Remeber too that cases are tried in public - so anyone can attend - and the Press has always covered arrests and court cases and indeed regard it as their duty. Having said that though I personally would prefer, in cases like this, that names were not made public until after a conviction. Not just because some revel in the salaciousness of allegations, but because people tend to draw conclusions once someone is charged, regardless of the outcome and there ois always a danger that such allegations have malicious intent - and that even if someone is found innocent guilt is still assumed by some.

Report this post »

Andy Mullen, Barcelona says...
11:01am Fri 7 Mar 08

Justice has been served! And it'd only be right for everyone who doubted to come out and apologize to Fr McCullough. As someone who spent a lot of time with Fr McCullough during the time of the alleged incidents it's absolutely disgraceful that this even made it to court without even a scrap of evidence. I hope the 2 who made the allegations get dragged through the same hell as Fr McCullough and their already tarniashed reputations further damaged

Report this post »

Andy Mullen, Barcelona says...
11:01am Fri 7 Mar 08

Justice has been served! And it'd only be right for everyone who doubted to come out and apologize to Fr McCullough. As someone who spent a lot of time with Fr McCullough during the time of the alleged incidents it's absolutely disgraceful that this even made it to court without even a scrap of evidence. I hope the 2 who made the allegations get dragged through the same hell as Fr McCullough and their already tarniashed reputations further damaged

Report this post »

Andy Mullen, Barcelona says...
11:01am Fri 7 Mar 08

Justice has been served! And it'd only be right for everyone who doubted to come out and apologize to Fr McCullough. As someone who spent a lot of time with Fr McCullough during the time of the alleged incidents it's absolutely disgraceful that this even made it to court without even a scrap of evidence. I hope the 2 who made the allegations get dragged through the same hell as Fr McCullough and their already tarniashed reputations further damaged

Report this post »

Andy Mullen, Barcelona says...
11:01am Fri 7 Mar 08

Justice has been served! And it'd only be right for everyone who doubted to come out and apologize to Fr McCullough. As someone who spent a lot of time with Fr McCullough during the time of the alleged incidents it's absolutely disgraceful that this even made it to court without even a scrap of evidence. I hope the 2 who made the allegations get dragged through the same hell as Fr McCullough and their already tarniashed reputations further damaged

Report this post »

Andy Mullen, Barcelona says...
11:01am Fri 7 Mar 08

Justice has been served! And it'd only be right for everyone who doubted to come out and apologize to Fr McCullough. As someone who spent a lot of time with Fr McCullough during the time of the alleged incidents it's absolutely disgraceful that this even made it to court without even a scrap of evidence. I hope the 2 who made the allegations get dragged through the same hell as Fr McCullough and their already tarniashed reputations further damaged

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

In this section

Lancashire newspapers

Sponsored Links



Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »