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A disgraced church pastor who was jailed for sexually abusing girls is interesting his conviction, claiming individuals had “come collectively and conspired” towards him.
Walter Masocha, a non secular chief who presupposed to work miracles and communicate on to God, was convicted of 4 fees on the Excessive Court docket in Livingston in July 2025.
The crimes came about between January 2006 and July 2012 in Stirling and Edinburgh – regarding the sexual abuse of two girls.
The decide who jailed him mentioned he had taken benefit of his place and acted as an “opportunistic sexual predator”.
Police described his crimes as “abhorrent”.
On the Court docket of Enchantment on Thursday, Masocha’s lawyer, Mark Moir KC, argued that there had been a miscarriage of justice as Masocha’s bid for a Part 275 software at his trial had not been accepted.
A Part 275 software permits for proof across the sexual historical past or character of a complainer to be heard in court docket.
Mr Moir additionally mentioned there had been a “marketing campaign by a former docket witness towards the appellant and he or she was inviting individuals to return ahead”.
He mentioned Masocha believed the complainers had “come collectively and conspired” towards him.
Mr Moir additionally appealed towards Masocha’s 10-year jail sentence, saying it was “extreme in all circumstances”.
The attraction, which is opposed by prosecutors, will probably be thought-about by a panel of three judges, together with Lord Beckett.
Issuing his sentence on Masocha in July 2025, Decide Craig mentioned Masocha had abused the belief of his victims.
He mentioned: “You sexually abused each of them in what can solely be described because the grossest breach of belief in your half.
“You maintain your self out to be a non secular chief who speaks on to God and espouses the very best requirements of probity.
“Nevertheless, in actuality, you’re nothing greater than an opportunistic sexual predator indiscriminatingly benefiting from those that ought to have been in a position to belief you probably the most.”
He continued: “(The victims) ranged in age, background and expertise however the frequent denominator was that they worshiped you – actually – believed you to be a prophet who may work miracles and positioned their full religion in you.
“You informed your victims they’d been given to you by God, that your fingers and lips have been holy and so they have been blessed to have been touched by you.
“It was that perception that gave you entry however you took sexual benefit of them in no matter means and everytime you felt like doing so.”
