Monk guilty to abusing boys at Ampleforth College

Monk at prestigious Catholic boarding school Ampleforth College guilty of abusing boys
Monk at prestigious Catholic boarding school Ampleforth College guilty of abusing boys
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A former monk at Ampleforth College boarding school has been convicted of sexually abusing two former pupils.

Michael Callaghan, 71, is now preparing for jail while probation officers prepare a report on him. 

He will learn how long he will spend behind bars next month.

The 71-year-old monk  carried out the abuse while he was a teacher and housemaster at Ampleforth College in Ryedale, Teesside Crown Court heard.

After the verdicts, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “Callaghan exploited his position of trust as a teacher and housemaster to groom and sexually abuse one of his pupils over a three-year period and then a couple of decades later sexually assaulted an older boy at the boarding school.

“Sexual abuse of any type can have lasting impact on the victims and it is vital those involved in this case have access to the support they need to move forwards with their lives. They have shown immense courage in speaking out and ensuring Callaghan has been brought to justice.”

The jury spent six hours and 36 minutes deliberating all 13 charges against Callaghan before returning their verdicts.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told jurors how the monk had made him feel ‘special’ at a time when he was being bullied at the school.

During a video-recorded police interview, he said Callaghan would take him to the pub and regularly meet up with him in different locations around the rural college.

“There was lots of hugs and touching, I was made to feel special,” he said.

Ampleforth CollegeAmpleforth College

He said they would simulate sexual intercourse whilst fully clothed but could feel the monk was sexually aroused at the time.

Jurors heard Callaghan got the boy a key cut for a room at the school that was used for homeless people, where they would regularly meet up.

The complainant said: “It was a grim, pretty smelly bed where we would end up laid next to each other.

“It was there where the more sexual stuff happened. There would be kissing and hugging. I sat on top of him, simulating sex – we were both dressed, but I could feel he was sexually aroused.”

Callaghan accepted that he had kissed the boy when he was 15 but reiterated that it wasn’t ‘sexual’ and was never on the lips.

The pensioner was charged with 12 counts of indecently assaulting the boy, with four alleged to have happened when he was under 16.

The defendant was also accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy in 2013 by grabbing his bottom after going to give him a hug.

The jury found him unanimously guilty of 12 charges and by a majority verdict of 11-1 for the final charge.


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Callaghan, of Moortown, Leeds, who had denied the charges throughout his trial, was released on court bail to allow time for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Judge Richard Clews said: “You have been found guilty by the jury of each of the counts you faced.

“The next stage is for the court to pass sentence - that will not take place straightaway, it will take place on June 19.

“In the meantime, I will call for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and I will allow you to obtain any other reports about you or your state of health.

“You can have bail in the meantime, but I must warn you that these are serious offences involving a considerable breach of trust in your responsibilities as a priest and a schoolmaster.

“Therefore, it is highly likely the only realistic sentence available to me will be immediate imprisonment.”

Callaghan will return to court to be sentenced on June 19.

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