Massimo Capazzo (AKA Andrew Collins) subjected two boys to horrendous abuse, but the elders failed to report it

Yet another child abuse cover-up story is emerging in the media, this time from Bradford, UK, where elders disfellowshipped a pedophile for horrendous abuse of two boys over a five-year period, but failed to report him to the authorities.

Massimo Capazzo, 41 (otherwise known as Andrew Collins), eventually turned himself in to police and confessed some of his atrocities, saying he wanted to clear his conscience because he had committed “a terrible crime.”

Only after police investigated did they discover the full extent of his depravity, namely that Capazzo had plied two young boys with alcohol and made them watch pornographic material to the point of making one of them “numb” to performing sexual acts on him an estimated 40 to 50 times.

The abuse is said to have had a “profound and continuing effect” on the two boys, who are now adults, leaving them in need of professional help due to feelings of worthlessness and guilt.

Capazzo was investigated by elders while still a Witness and disfellowshipped for his behavior. However, they failed to notify police.

As Prosecutor Sophie Drake explained, “Although he was shunned by the congregation he was still allowed to attend meetings. At that time matters were not brought to the attention of the police.” In other words, Capazzo’s elders (or the Society’s legal department who instructed them) considered him to be someone else’s problem and felt he should be left free to re-offend elsewhere in the community.

Capazzo has now been jailed for six years and eight months for what Judge John Potter described as “systematic child abuse.” He will also be made to sign the sex offenders register. Though it was acknowledged that his confession to police was a mitigating feature to his credit, the judge also noted that he had only mentioned his abuse of one boy when he first spoke to police, not both of them.

Capazzo’s sentencing comes less than two weeks after media reports of another child abuse cover-up by elders in the UK involving Gordon Leighton. And just days ago, video footage was broadcast by a San Diego news station that was said to show monstrous pedophile Gonzalo Campos admitting that elders knew of his behavior but left him free to spend time with other boys in the congregation.

Any Witnesses who dare to look into the growing mountain of evidence of Watchtower’s terrible child abuse track record will be shocked that an organization claiming to be under divine guidance has put so many children at risk. We can only hope that, as more stories come to light, Watchtower will come under increasing pressure to change its policies in favor of the children it has a duty to protect rather than those who would do them harm.

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading…

28 thoughts on “Disfellowshipped but NOT reported: UK pedophile subjected boys to “truly wicked” acts

  • July 28, 2013 at 12:46 pm
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    Kind of on a separate note. This weeks study watchtower lesson picture on page 20 subliminally encourages members to get rid of all electronic devices. Cedars, worth a post?

    • July 28, 2013 at 1:00 pm
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      Hi WT critic, it’s an interesting thought but I don’t really give much credence to the idea of subliminal messages in illustrations. If anything the Society are trying to get publishers to buy more technology by depicting the use of tablet computers in their illustrations.

  • July 28, 2013 at 12:50 pm
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    Actually,if u knew the full story then you wouldn’t write such stupid things. It didn’t go to the police because THE BOYS didn’t want it to, and as they have been through enough, elders did the right thing and respected there wishes. Stupid small minded people like you need to realise that awful stuff happens all over the world,in different religions. Noone can stop dirty pedofiles doing what they are going to do. I wonder if this happens to a member of your family u would be so quick to judge and so insensitive to write pathetic things like this

    • July 28, 2013 at 12:58 pm
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      Anomonus – your information is from where? I go to the trouble of revealing my sources. If you are going to dispute what I write, I would expect you to offer the same courtesy.

      Also, you say, “THE BOYS didn’t want it to” [let the police be informed]. Did their parents feel this way? I cannot imagine any victim of child abuse, or their parents, wishing the same vile humiliation and depravity to be inflicted on others by not having the perpetrator stopped.

      And what would the boys reasonably have to fear about police involvement since their identities were kept secret?

      • July 28, 2013 at 1:02 pm
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        There parents are my parents..idiot. I know this story right from the start to finish. And they didn’t have anything to be afraid if no,maybe they just wanted to try and forget about it and not have to re live it. And where do it sources come from??? Because I know 100% I know a lot more AND the truth about everything on this story

    • August 2, 2013 at 7:54 pm
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      Personally, I consider you a FAKE. The elders did the right thing in disfellowshipping this jerk. However, they should have informed the authorities prior to disfellowshipping. It’s part of giving Caesar’s things to Caesar and showing soundness of mind.

      As far as I’m concerned Anomonus, you’re not related to the victims of this terrible tragedy. By making such a false claim, you’re just like the paedophile who abused them.

  • July 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm
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    I’m sure the victim’s feelings and well being was always the main concern of the elders! all the case’s we see and read about prove that don’t they? No they don’t! The facts speak for themselves! read the elders manual about how the elders should do everything they can to prevent the facts about such terrible case’s getting the the police etc. Keep up the work Ceders!

  • July 28, 2013 at 7:08 pm
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    All these cases reveal that the WT regards child abuse more as a serious sin than a crime. It is a CRIME and so must be reported to the authorities. It is not in the jurisdiction of JW elders who are invariably unqualified to deal with crimes, including paedophilia. They should hand it over to the Police.
    The WT seems more interested in protecting its corporate image than obeying Romans 13:1-5. Every time child abuse is handled ‘in house’, Jehovah’s law to “be in subjection to the superior authorities” is being broken- a serious offence indeed for the organisation who claims to be the only one God is using as His ‘channel’……not to mention the pain and anguish wreaked on the innocent children who become victims of these predators.

  • July 29, 2013 at 8:12 am
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    This does happen all over, in all religions, however, with most of us being associated with Jw’s in our lifetime and absolutely believing them to be in the divine protection of truths, it is more sickening to hear of these stories of abuse. I hope and pray that their perverted actions are exposed for all to see! I pray they are punished by the law as well! And please wake up and rid themselves of organized religion and get a relationship with Christ!

  • July 29, 2013 at 7:05 pm
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    The law of the land in the USA & UK is that child abuse is a crime that requires punishment by the judicial authorities. This is not simply a matter of preference. It is recognized that the community is at threat by such individuals. Sweeping the matter under the carpet is reprehensible!

  • July 30, 2013 at 5:33 am
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    Cedars, another noteworthy case in JW world. There are so many cases recently coming to light. My heart is saddened for the victims. Hopefully, those in will seriously start to question how they keep representing a religion that doesn’t take a strong stand to protect children.
    “Anonomus”, while it was challenging to read your comments, due to the grammar and unintelligible insults, I agree that there are cases where someone chooses not to continue with a case, so as to avoid trial and relive the experience. They’re entitled to that option. Most of us are more concerned with how these numerous child abuse cases are being handled by the elders. Their lack of feeling as if they should be report crimes to the proper authorities is not something I can imagine Jesus condoning.
    Your comment abount pedofiles doing what they will do shows a mindset that is hard to sympathize with these days. By these crimes being reported correctly, pedofiles have been taken of the streets. The justice system has flaws, but is still the logical place to go when a crime against a child has been committed.

    • July 30, 2013 at 5:57 am
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      Why does every1 feel the urge to comment on things they know nothing about. It’s there decision and it has been delt with so leave it be. I agree that people like that should be locked up yes,–and I agree that it should’ve been sooner but what’s done is done,there’s no point in slagging witnesses off for something that was out if there control

  • July 30, 2013 at 1:34 pm
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    @ Anomonus – The elders knew they had a paedophile in their congregation yet failed to inform the police leaving him free to potentially re-offend. How exactly were things “out if (sic) there (sic) control”?

    • July 30, 2013 at 1:38 pm
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      Because it was the boys decision not to…..

  • July 30, 2013 at 1:48 pm
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    Source or else none one will believe you.

    • July 30, 2013 at 1:53 pm
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      I’m not botherd if any1 believes me,I’m telling u how it is and putting false accusations right,it’s up to u if u believe me, frankly I couldn’t care. I think it’s pretty pathetic that your all looking up ‘dirt’ u can try and find in witnesses. Every1 makes mistakes,no1s perfect including witnesses and they never claim to be perfect

      • July 30, 2013 at 3:16 pm
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        Unfortunately these sort of incidences happen in all religions and organization, Jehovah’s Witnesses being no exception.

        However it is unfortunate for them that they keep blowing the “we are God’s Spirit directed organization” horn, that is the problem and as you say we are all “imperfect”, but consider this one fact, and that is that “God is perfect” and any organization claiming to be God’s organization would have to follow suit. Would you not think?

        Hence from my perspective, rather than being “God’s organization”, it is an organization that was set up by “imperfect men” to do God’s will initially, that of spreading the Good News of God’s Kingdom.

        Unfortunately for them, also to my perspective and understanding they have the wrong understanding of what the Kingdom of God actually is and so the message as Good News is lost in translation.

        • July 30, 2013 at 3:42 pm
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          Ok then

  • July 31, 2013 at 5:15 am
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    Anomonus,
    You really need one thing. Quickly Visit a “mental health” clinic for EMERGENCY (quick treatment). Are you one of the Jehovah’s Witnesses? “Other SHEEP” or “ANOINTED = SHEEP”?

    In w11 8/15 p. 22 you can read: “A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.” (Read it also at http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=w11+8%2F15+p.+22)

    Likewise, “mental or emotional imbalance” might cause you to post these rubbish comments on issues of child abuse. By the way, what do you say about 2 Kings 2:23-24?

    • July 31, 2013 at 5:26 am
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      How dare u. This child abbuse happend to MY family,not urs. I know the details of this case,FACT. U don’t. As for mentle illness, think u may need to get anger management the way ur getting to mad over issues that u clearly know nothing about.im not preaching to u,I’ve not insulted u.so why u feel the need to do it to me is beyond me. I’m sticking up for my family because someone said a false comment. Get a grip

  • July 31, 2013 at 10:35 pm
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    Anomonus,

    which false statement? this one:

    In w11 8/15 p. 22 you can read: “A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.” (Read it also at http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=w11+8%2F15+p.+22)

    You better visit a Mental Health Clinic if child abuse happened to your family and now “defending the truth” so cowardly!

    • August 1, 2013 at 12:32 am
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      When the (edited) did I say I had a ‘heavenly calling’ u (edited). READ WHAT I WROTE. Comment all u like but I won’t be replying to (edited) u

      (This comment has been edited for content by Admin Jeni. While your point of view is always welcome, please refrain from using profanity and name calling. Thanks.)

  • August 2, 2013 at 7:50 pm
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    Hakizimana Jean de Dieu,

    Thanks for shutting Anomonus up.

  • August 3, 2013 at 2:47 pm
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    That is complete nonsense. If a paedophile commits assaults on children – he or she MUST be reported to the authorities. It is the best way to bring them to justice and stop the paedophile abusing others. It is your argument that is pathetic.

    • August 3, 2013 at 3:08 pm
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      Last little note you might all like to know… It didn’t come out until my brothers were ADULTS

  • August 5, 2013 at 11:52 am
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    Anomonus,
    Just last little note YOU might like to know, too. Commenting on Deuteronomy 23:18, the Governing Body of JWs says a “DOG” is “Likely a pederast; one who practices anal intercourse, especially with a boy”

    Considering that even the GB has had such people as part of it (see w86 1/1 p.13), we can conclude calling them “HUMAN DOGS”!!

    Please, Anomonus, join us to fight against those “HUMAN DOGS”. Those “HUMAN DOGS” according to their own interpretation of the Bible and their deeds like CHILD MOLESTATION will call us “HUMAN APOSTATES” to silence us but they will fail (http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=Deuteronomy+23%3A18; )

  • August 10, 2013 at 3:04 am
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    Anonymous, I thank you for taking the time to give your opinions and I am truly sorry for what happened to your family members.

    Although I agree that forgiveness is vital in this life, justice also is vital for life.

    I would encourage anyone who has suffered any kind of child abuse to report it to the authorities. This way, the perpetrator will have to face a free and fair trial, and if found guilty of sexual abuse, will have to sign the sex offenders register, which will hopefully save others from the horror that your family lived through.

    I sincerely hope that you and your family members can move on from this terrible ordeal and that you all find peace in your selves.

Comments are closed.