Married vicar with two daughters who baptised his congregation in the River Thames admits sending nude photos to '13-year-old schoolgirl'

A popular vicar known for baptising his congregation in the Thames has admitted sending nude pictures of himself on Snapchat to someone he thought was a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

Reverend Ben Lovell, a married father of two, was snared during a police investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The 44-year-old priest – who also held prominent positions in local schools – believed he was talking to a young teenager when he sent the messages on the Snapchat social media app, which is popular with young people.

Ross Davis, prosecuting, told the court: 'The defendant engaged via social media with the decoy [undercover investigator posing as a child] and the conversation was sexual.

'He also sent indecent images of himself to the decoy.

'Further inquiries revealed he was the vicar of St Mary's. He is also married and has two daughters.'

Lovell pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child and another of causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity on the same dates.

Lovell was appearing at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court but the prosecutor said his offences were so serious that the case should be moved to the Crown Court for sentencing as they have powers to impose longer sentences.

Mr Davis said Lovell is likely to be sentenced to between 18 months and two years in prison.

'It is a high culpability offence as it included solicitation of images and also sexual images were sent and received,' he added.

Fred Batstone, defending Lovell, said his wife was 'fully aware' of the situation.

At the time, Lovell was vicar of St Mary's in Hampton, south-west London. He had also served as area dean.

As well as that, he was a former director of £30,000-a-year Hampton School – attended by celebrities including Coldplay's Chris Martin and Sir Brian May.

He was also on the board of the Instanter Learning Trust, formed by the joining of St Mary's Hampton CoE Primary School and The Bishop Wand CoE School.

In 2018, Lovell led the first baptism by outdoor immersion at St Mary's when he baptised his parishioners in the River Thames.

Six of the church congregation were baptised, including three young people, a baby and two adults.

At the time he said: 'Today sees our young adults and children follow in the footsteps of Jesus who was baptised in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.

'Baptism symbolises cleansing, reviving and is the symbol of new life, not just to the candidates but also for those who are present.

'It is also a way for teenagers and adults to declare their beliefs publicly.'

Lovell had formerly lived at St Mary's Vicarage in Hampton but has since moved to an address in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

The full case will now be heard at Kingston Crown Court at a date to be determined.

Lovell, who was given conditional bail, is due in court again next month for a pre-sentence report hearing.

Lovell has now been suspended from ministry, and stepped back from his other responsibilities.

A statement from the Diocese of London said: 'Ben Lovell, former Vicar of St Mary's Hampton, has appeared in court and pleaded guilty to criminal offences, related to attempted online communication with a minor, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.'

'The alleged offences do not relate to his role at St Mary's, or to any other role, or to his family.

'On notification of Lovell's arrest last year, statutory agencies and the Diocese coordinated to put safeguarding and risk management measures in place to protect the parish community and to ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults remained safe.'