Vickery House

The Reverend Vickery House was a vicar in East Sussex and a close associate of Bishop Peter Ball within the Chichester diocese. His conviction forms part of a broader pattern of child sexual abuse by clergy in the area, as examined by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. House's offences involved indecent assaults, contributing to the diocese's reputation for harbouring paedophile reverends.

In October 2015, House was convicted on five counts of indecent assault. The court sentenced him to six-and-a-half years' imprisonment, reflecting the severity of his actions against young victims. The inquiry's hearings revealed how such abuses were enabled by a culture of collusion and normalisation within the Church, where senior clergy prioritised pastoral care for perpetrators over victims' safeguarding.

Testimony from the inquiry, including from former Bishop John Hind, underscored how environments like those in East Sussex reduced inhibitions against abusive behaviour. House's case highlights the systemic issues in the Church of England, where associates of influential figures like Ball were able to perpetrate offences with limited oversight. The Independent reported on this as part of a shocking list of convicted clergy from the diocese, emphasising the need for reform.