CHURCH leaders who investigated sexual abuse by perverted pastor John Wilson have admitted they can find no evidence his offending was reported to police at the time.

An internal investigation was carried out in 1993 following complaints about Wilson’s behaviour, which resulted in him being found guilty of sexually abusing female worshippers at the Keighley Pentecostal Church.

However, Assemblies of God, the body that oversees Pentecostal churches in Britain, has now disclosed to the Keighley News it can find no records that it informed police of its findings that Wilson was “systematically abusing women”.

After the investigation, Wilson was sacked by the AoG.

He moved to the Liberty Pentecostal Church in Keighley, which is not affiliated to the AoG, and continued to work as a minister, molesting more women until 2010 by telling them he was ridding them of 'evil spirits' while doing so.

Wilson, 70, was jailed for 21 years at Bradford Crown Court last month after he was found guilty by a jury of 14 charges of indecent assault, three of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one of sexual assault following a West Yorkshire Police investigation, which only started in July 2014.

When asked by the Keighley News if the AoG involved the police in 1993, its spokesman said: “AoG has been unable to locate any records to confirm the extent, if any, of the police involvement in 1993.

“We do not know what, if any, involvement there was of the local police upon the instigation of the members of Keighley Pentecostal Church or the family who reported the activities of John Wilson.

“When matters were drawn to the attention of AoG in 1993 John Wilson was a pastor of Keighley Pentecostal Church, which was a church that was accredited by AoG.

“He may have had other roles and employments, which were unconnected with AoG, of which we have no knowledge.

“After his AoG status ceased in 1993, we do not know where he was working, save that we can confirm he did not work in anyway in connection with AoG.

“John Wilson was able to work as a church minister without needing to be accredited by AOG or indeed any other church organisation.

“There is no over-riding regulation, which applies to all people who call themselves church ministers. Those who choose not to be accredited are then not subject to regulation or control.

“We would like to reiterate our deepest sympathy to individuals and families who may have been affected by this case. We condemn abuse in all its forms, believe that everyone has a right to protection and there is a duty of care to safeguard all children and adults at risk from harm.”

Bob Balfour, of sexual abuse victim support service Survivors West Yorkshire, said it is not uncommon for religious institutions not to report abuse.

He added: “Some institutions seem to think they can rehabilitate offenders internally, or give them the benefit of the doubt.

“With adult victims, they are often vulnerable and looking for someone who shows they care for them. He had a position of power, which he used to manipulate his victims.

“I think victims would want to see someone held accountable, who should have intervened and stopped it.”

Keighley MP John Grogan said: “It should have been reported to police at the time, as should all allegations of abuse.

“A number of Wilson’s offences occurred well after the disciplinary proceedings by the AoG, so it is possible had they reported the findings to police, some of those could have been prevented.”

He added: “This is a sickening case and John Wilson is where he belongs, behind bars probably for the rest of his life.

“This shows the absolute importance of safeguarding and the necessity to report offenders to the police immediately.”

Keighley Liberty Church declined to comment.

Wilson’s wife, Mary Wilson, 79, was found guilty of aiding and abetting indecent assault and sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Church minister Laurence Peterson was found guilty of three charges of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and awaits sentence.