A disgraced church pastor who was jailed for sexually abusing women is appealing his conviction and 10-year sentence, asserting that a campaign was orchestrated against him. Walter Masocha, who purported to perform miracles and communicate directly with God, was convicted on four charges at the High Court in Livingston in July 2025 for sexually abusing two women between January 2006 and July 2012 in Stirling and Edinburgh.
Appeal Arguments
During the hearing at the Court of Appeal, Masocha's lawyer, Mark Moir KC, argued that there had been a miscarriage of justice. He contended that a Section 275 application, which would have allowed evidence regarding the complainers' sexual history, was not accepted at the original trial. Furthermore, Mr Moir asserted that a former witness had initiated a campaign against Masocha, encouraging individuals to come forward with allegations. This led Masocha to believe that the complainants had colluded and conspired against him.
Sentencing Remarks
The original sentencing judge, Judge Craig, described Masocha as an opportunistic sexual predator who grossly breached the trust of his victims. The victims had believed Masocha to be a prophet capable of performing miracles. The judge's remarks highlighted the severity of the abuse and the abuse of power inherent in Masocha's actions.
Masocha's appeal continues to unfold as the court considers the arguments presented by his legal team. The outcome remains pending, with further hearings expected to address the alleged procedural irregularities and claims of conspiracy.
