November 1999
Gospel man jailed for sexual abuse of boys
A CHURCH youth leader gained the trust of two schoolboys and then sexually abused them while they were out spreading the gospel, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Owen Reid, who carried out some of the offences over 20 years ago, was jailed for eight months.
In passing sentence Judge Peter Crawford QC said Reid had played with his victims “like toys” from a position of power but accepted that what happened had occurred a long time ago.
Reid (48) formerly of Albion Road, Sparkbrook, admitted four charges of indecent assault relating to the boys.
Miss Rachel Brand, prosecuting, said in the 1970s Reid, who regarded himself as a committed Christian, was heavily involved in a church in the city called the New Testament Church of God, based in Highgate.
