"British Vicar, Dubbed 'Wild Child', Abused Multiple Girls at Youth Group Before Escaping to Australia"

A BRIT vicar who called himself a “wild child” abused multiple girls before fleeing to Australia, according to a review.

The Rev Kesh Govan, 50, took his own life in November after allegations of sexual misconduct with girls at a youth group in the UK were found to be “substantiated”.

The Rev Kesh Govan sexually abused girls before fleeing to Australia, an inquiry has found Credit: Facebook The Brit took his own life in November Credit: Facebook

Following his death, the Anglican Church Southern Queensland launched an independent .

The probe has now concluded that Govan had groomed and sexually abused several victims.

The investigation said it found the vicar had “groomed and sexually abused multiple female children within one youth group while living in the “.

Govan, who was also known as the Singing Vicar, was born a Hindu, but later converted to following a near-death experience.

Originally born in Bolton, Greater , Govan trained in before becoming a vicar in Bolton.

He moved later in life to Ireland, and then to Brisbane, Australia.

While living in the UK, he worked as DJ on a local radio station and took part in school chapel services.

The new review said attendees of the church in Brisbane where Govan had served had been given “a confidential pathway for people to come forward if they, or someone they know was groomed or sexually abused by Govan”.

The report said: “The Govan family, who had no knowledge of Govan’s sexual abuse of children prior to his death, and the St Stephen’s, and All Saints communities have also been offered free confidential counselling and support.”

It reportedly found no evidence that Govan had committed any offences in Australia.

The Most Rev Jeremy Greaves, the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, said: “On behalf of the church, I would like to issue a sincere and complete apology to the survivors of Govan’s child sexual abuse.

“Over the past decade, the church, both in Australia and the United Kingdom, has strengthened its policies, procedures, and protocols. However, it must do better.

“The evidence detailed within the independent investigation report has been shared with authorities in Australia and the United Kingdom.”

The Dioceses of Manchester and Lichfield, where Govan previously served, said they were “deeply distressing above all for those who have experienced abuse, and also for families, friends and communities”.

Govan once described himself as a wild child in an interview with the Irish Independent in 2005.

He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he turned 18.

Govan said he had been ill for three years and had been told he had the final stages of cancer.

He met some Christians and started to pray for help, before his cancerous cells were found and he made a full recovery, he said.

Govan claimed he returned to – until he was called back to Christianity by a vision.

He worked in Brisbane, Australia (stock) Credit: Alamy