A crystal meth smoking vicar who talked about sacrificing babies to Satan is being treated in hospital after an overdose.

David Renshaw, 63, boasted about corrupting boys with drugs and enjoyed watching animal porn.

A jury found him guilty of having more than 22,000 files of indecent images and videos.

The reverend, who said he had few limits and could sink really low, told other paedophiles online: “I’m a sadistic b*****d. Through and through.”

Renshaw, of Wallace Avenue in Worthing, was warned he faced a lengthy prison term following his conviction at Hove Crown Court last month and was due to be sentenced on Monday, March 13.

Judge Christine Henson KC told the court Renshaw had suffered an overdose of painkillers.

Judge Henson added: “I have already indicated to him it’s a custodial sentence.”

Police found rotting dead animals, used needles and drug pipes when they raided his home.

Police traced his online activity to a computer at his three-bed semi with the court hearing it would have taken months to download all the images and video found on the hard drive.

Each clip had been catalogued and filed in folders with names like Kids and Gay Kids.

The Church of England vicar tried to claim he would not have had time to download all the images and video, telling police: “Sermons don’t write themselves.”

In backups of online messages, Renshaw asked another user to offer his three-year-old to Satan with other sick chats involving sacrificing babies to the devil.

After his crimes were discovered, the reverend tried to frame his own sons telling police they had access to his computers.

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In statements read to the court, his sons said they were saddened and disappointed their own father named them as potential suspects.

Renshaw initially denied, then admitted he sent social media and chat messages to other paedophiles discussing extreme child abuse.

Renshaw, a former chaplain in a youth offender unit, wrote: “I love corrupting boys with drugs.”

The Argus: David Renshaw outside Hove Crown CourtDavid Renshaw outside Hove Crown Court (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

In the witness box, Renshaw said he used crystal meth when he was lonely and bored.

The reverend was made priest in charge of Christ Church Worthing in December 2019 but was on long term sick leave when police raided his home on August 11, 2020.

A jury found him guilty of six counts of making and possessing indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornographic images of bestiality and possession of prohibited images of children.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant David Rose, said: “Throughout this investigation, Renshaw has sought to blame anyone but himself.

The Argus:

“He has failed to accept or take any responsibility for his actions, which I am certain the local parish he represented would be appalled by.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Chichester said the diocese cooperated closely with Sussex Police throughout this investigation and suspended Renshaw as soon as his property was searched.

“Mr Renshaw’s appalling offences involved the possession of thousands of obscene images.

“Following his conviction, further action will now be taken against him under the clergy discipline measure.”