Church pastor jailed over sexual offences claims ‘campaign’ against him
Walter Masocha, a religious leader who purported to work miracles and speak directly to God, was convicted of four charges in July last year (Police Scotland)
Disgraced church pastor Walter Masocha, who was jailed for sexually abusing women, is appealing his conviction and 10-year sentence, claiming a “conspiracy” against him.
Masocha was convicted of 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.
His lawyer, Mark Moir KC, argued at the Court of Appeal that there was a miscarriage of justice because a Section 275 application, allowing evidence on complainers’ sexual history, was not accepted at trial.
Mr Moir also contended that a former witness had orchestrated a “campaign” against Masocha, inviting people to come forward, leading Masocha to believe the complainers had “come together and conspired” against him.
The original sentencing judge, Judge Craig, described Masocha as an “opportunistic sexual predator” who grossly breached the trust of his victims, who believed him to be a prophet capable of miracles.
