A Carlisle vicar was tipped off by an anonymous text message that a man who played Santa at a Christmas party held at his church was a sex offender.
The party was held at St Herbert’s Church and organised by Community Chef Project, an organisation separate to the church.
Darren McGuinness, 48, of Fairfield Gardens, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court for breaching a sexual offences prevention order by dressing up as Father Christmas, sitting in a grotto and giving out presents to youngsters.
After the hearing, the Rev Alun Jones, vicar of St Herbert’s, said McGuinness and two other men had been volunteers for Community Chef Project.
This had been run without any connection to the church for three years at city centre premises and had its own safeguarding policy and constitution.
When this was no longer available to them, the men were offered use of a separate hall on the church site from spring, 2020, to provide food for homeless and vulnerable people during the pandemic.
At no point, said Mr Jones, did McGuinness disclose his criminal convictions or the order, stressing: “I knew nothing from the police, nor Darren’s probation officer, nobody disclosed anything to me.
“They were not part of the church. At no point ever did they come to church or were they part of the church. They simply used my hall for the CCP.”
The first he learned of McGuinness’ criminal convictions was late on Christmas Eve 2021, when he was alerted by an anonymous text. He was summoned to a Boxing Day meeting and confirmed his past offending.
“Nobody at St Herbert’s Church knew anything about it. At no point did I have any knowledge of previous convictions or any knowledge of restrictions or orders governing their behaviour. If I had, he wouldn’t have been here,” said Mr Jones.
The three men were initially taken through the church’s safe recruitment procedures but no enhanced disclosure and barring service check could be obtained because they were working in a kitchen, away from children and vulnerable adults.
Both the Halloween and Christmas parties in 2021 were organised by the CCP, independent of the church.
Written DBS guidelines were followed to the letter for the Christmas event, said Mr Jones, during which donated toys were handed out.
“At no point was any child alone with this person because it was a managed event. The safeguarding officer was there, Santa’s helpers (adults) were all there. No child was ever brought forward for a toy without their parent,” he said.
“The church unreservedly apologises for any concern caused to any parents who were at these events or who have been shocked by them.
“We have reviewed and tightened all safeguarding policies and safe recruitment policies, and have made some recommendations that if you apply for enhanced DBS you should be able to get one.
“We do hope that going forward there could be better communication between the police and any site that has people with criminal convictions who are volunteering.”
