Church reported teacher now suspected of sex offences in 2024

The Church of Norway in Nordre Follo reported a teacher now suspected of sexual offences to police in 2024, Dagbladet reported. The report followed a warning categorised as unwanted sexual attention, according to church administrator Øysten Paulsen.

“The first thing I did was contact the police for advice and guidance. I chose to report the matter following input from the police,” Paulsen told Dagbladet.

The church also summoned the man for talks and imposed a 12-month sanction. He had been involved as a volunteer and worked with young people. His employer was informed about the warning.

The Eastern Police District confirmed on Wednesday that the 2024 case had been dropped. A separate case involving the same man from the following year was also dropped.

The man, who is in his 40s, has now been arrested and remanded in custody. He is being investigated for sexual relations with children aged between 14 and 16, as well as abusing a position of authority. The allegations concern incidents from 2019.

“This means that the police are investigating whether he used his position as a teacher or his work in the church to obtain sexual relations with girls,” the Eastern Police District said in a statement on Monday.

Paulsen said the church had now received several new warnings concerning four people. One of them was submitted on behalf of another person.

The man’s defence lawyer, Tone Monclair, said it was too early in the investigation to comment further. She said he had given a statement, wanted to cooperate with police and denied criminal responsibility.

After the church’s 12-month sanction ended, the man was allowed to work there again, but only on a limited basis. “He did not have direct contact with young people,” Paulsen said.

Municipality reviewing its handling

Nordre Follo municipal director Øyvind Henriksen described the case as very serious and said the municipality was working to establish what had happened.

Henriksen confirmed that he knew there had been contact between the school and the church in 2024, but said he could not comment on the content of that contact or on what the school did after receiving the warning.

The municipality is reviewing its archives and speaking to people to establish what documentation and reports of concern it holds and how any such reports were handled.

“We need time to carry out this work, but we are cooperating closely with the police, who will handle the investigation,” Henriksen said.

He said the municipality was supporting pupils, parents and school employees, and stressed that schools in Nordre Follo should be safe for everyone.

Paulsen said one of the new warnings concerning the man was of a nature he described as serious. He confirmed that he had been questioned by police.