Jesus Army Watch Information Archive
Recent News and Developments
In 2013 the Jesus Army appealed for victims of abuse to come forward. It is believed that around 150 cases have since been reported to them, including allegations relating to the late founder of the group, Noel Stanton
In 2015, Northamptonshire Police began "Operation Lifeboat", a JA led investigation into historic abuse within the Jesus Fellowship/ Jesus Army. Operation Lifeboat was created to invetigate cases of abuse which have been referred to the police by the Fellowship. There have been 2 prosecutions of ex-members to date.
In 2017, Mick Haines, the leader of the Fellowship admitted that the late Noel Stanton was in an “unaccountable position”, and "Noel had a flawed character", it is not yet known if there will be a full investigation into the allegations against the late Mr Stanton
In July 2017, five ‘apostolic’ leaders of the Fellowship stepped back from pastoral duties pending an investigation of their handling of the abuse allegations. Mick Haines (the senior pastor), Mike Farrant, John Campbell, Ian Callard and Huw Lewis.
In September 2017, it was reported that lawyers are representing around 40 ex-members of the Fellowship with the intention of a Civil Claim against the group
Operation Lifeboat : Historic Abuse Investigation
Anyone wishing to contact the Northamptonshire Police investigation into historic physical and sexual abuse within the JA, can call 101 (full number 03000 111 222) and ask for the "Operation Lifeboat" team. Or call the 24-hour helpline run by the sexual assault referral centre, Serenity, on 01604 601713.
Civil Claims Case
Anyone wishing to contact the Lawyers representing the Civil claims case can visit their websites directly
Switalskis Solicitors https://www.switalskis.com/about-us/our-lawyers/david-greenwood/
Robson Shaw http://www.robsonshaw.uk/blog/jesus-army-in-the-news-following-arrests.htm
There are now 386 clippings in the press clipping Archive : Full Press Clippings Archive
This website is currently being updated. The last major update was in 2004
The Forum has now reopened : Forum / Message Board.
If you'd like to be notified by email the next time the Jesus Army Watch Archive is updated, send an email too -
maillist@jesusarmywatch.org.uk
Recent Archive Additions
2017
18/09/2017 : At least 40 people planning to sue Northamptonshire's Jesus Army over historic abuse claims
18/09/2017 : SPECIAL REPORT: Alleged victim of historic abuse reveals traumatic childhood growing up in Jesus Army
18/09/2017 : SPECIAL REPORT: Northamptonshire Police lost files relating to suspicious death of Jesus Army member
06/07/2017 : Jesus Army leaders in Northamptonshire step down after complaints over handling over abuse claims
08/06/2017 : Corporal punishment complaints at Northampton’s Jesus Army were not followed up... because it wasn’t illegal in the 70s and 80s
11/05/2017 : Sexual and financial abuse claims made against founder of the Jesus Army in Northampton
11/05/2017 : JESUS ARMY INQUIRY: Northamptonshire review board is not ruling out probe at a later date
28/03/2017 : Jesus Army sex offender sentenced for string of indecent acts directed at children in Northamptonshire
20/01/2017 : Tributes paid to church helper killed in road tragedy in Stourbridge
2016
29/07/2016 : DWP forced to reveal vast list of firms using benefit claimants for unpaid work after 4-year legal fight
30/06/2016 : Read the full list: Companies, councils and charities who used benefits claimants as unpaid labour
08/06/2016 : OAP jailed for abusing young boys at Jesus Army homes
2015
22/09/2015 : Daventry food business fined after contractor suffered a fractured skull and broken vertebrae
27/08/2015 : Appeal for Jesus Army sexual assault victims
27/08/2015 : Police renew appeal for potential victims to come forward in Jesus Fellowship abuse investigation
20/08/2015 : Police investigating sexual and physical abuse arrest Jesus Army members
06/02/2015 : Teenage boy who "lost it" and kicked cat to death while wearing steel toe-capped boots is spared jail
05/02/2015 : Teenager spared jail for kicking cat and burning it alive while smashed on JD
03/02/2015 : Northamptonshire teenager kicked cat to death and then set fire to it after pet scratched him
2013
28/07/2013 : Northampton White and Bishop store closes after 83 years
13/06/2013 : White and Bishop to close Northampton shop after 83 years
2012
06/02/2012 : Neighbours raise concern about bid to build new house three inches from their home
2011
11/11/2011 : Jesus Army's Jewellery Quarter plans thwarted by developer
07/11/2011 : Jesus Army bid for Jewellery Quarter drop-in centre set to collapse
31/10/2011 : Plans for Jewellery Quarter drop in centre for drug addicts set to be approved
29/09/2011 : News in Brief: Jesus Centre launch
23/09/2011 : Jewellery Quarter businesses unhappy at plans for Jesus Army drop-in centre
22/09/2011 : Jesus Army denies cult allegation
22/09/2011 : Fears for future of Jewellery Quarter businesses if Jesus Army move in
29/08/2011 : Jewellery Quarter Church plan stalled over anti-social behaviour claims
2010
11/11/2010 : Afghan Christians to be deported despite death fears
11/11/2010 : Listed Brighton house taken over by Christian "cooperative"
07/05/2010 : Gardener accused of sexual assaults
15/07/2010 : Spending a penny won't cost a thing...
03/07/2010 : Paedophile tricked way into Jesus Army Fellowship
28/06/2010 : Coventry Jesus Centre celebrates 5,000 visitors
08/06/2010 : Homelessness charity pleads with Marks & Spencer to restart food deliveries
04/06/2010 : Coventry homeless hit as Marks and Spencer axes food donation
13/05/2010 : Last chance for shoplifting Keresley drug addict
12/05/2010 : Jesus Fellowship's children 'at risk of abuse'
2009
06/07/2009 : Jesus Army man killed himself
01/06/2009 : 'Joyful' farewell for leader of Jesus Army
29/05/2009 : Musical battle in urban sunshine
23/05/2009 : Funeral of Jesus Army founder to be screened
22/05/2009 : Video link funeral for Jesus Army founder
21/05/2009 : Jesus Army tributes to founder
04/05/2009 : Ex-doorman acquitted of sex assault in Northampton
05/03/2009 : Spruce-up for centre
2008
02/09/2008 : Youth club doorman denies sex assaults on young girls
26/03/2008 : Woman punched outside Jesus Army Centre
2007
23/02/2007 : Julie's killer to be freed
2006
02/08/2006 : Missing man returns thanks to travellers
