CHURCHES SHOULD STEP IN

Source : 17/12/1982 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Another young man associated with the Jesus Fellowship of Bugbrooke has died in unusual circumstances.

Paul Andrews (27) was staying with the religious sect when he was involved in a road accident. He died two months later.

Mr Andrews told a psychiatrist he had heard God speaking to him in his head, and after his accident had been in contact with Satan.

It was said at the inquest that there was plenty of room for Mr. Andrews to avoid the fatal crash - but he drove straight at an oncoming lorry.

Evidence of a disturbed mental state in other young people connected with the Jesus Fellowship was uncovered in our special investigation into the group earlier this year.

And there have been two previous deaths which have not been fully explained.

In December 1976 Gavin Hooper (25) walked out of the Fellowship Community and died in freezing temperatures wearing only his trousers. And a year later 19-year-old Stephen Orchard's body was found on the railway line near Nether Heyford.

The latest tragedy renews fears that the Fellowship may have a disturbing influence on some young people who come into contact with it.

The coroner at the inquest into Paul Andrew's death was satisfied that at the time of the accident Paul was in 'a confused mental state'