Paedophile paid 50p to abuse boy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Paedophile paid 50p to abuse boy

12:00pm Thursday 12th January 2012 in Calne

ABUSE victim Robert Hastings has spoken out against Roman Catholic monks who abused him at a school which was “infiltrated by paedophiles”.

Mr Hastings, 35, of Tucks Farm, Charlcutt, near Calne, waived his right to anonymity in the recent case of a Benedictine monk who taught at Downside School, near Midsomer Norton.

Richard White, 66, was jailed by Taunton Crown Court last week for abusing two boys at the £26,000-a-year school in the late 1980s.

He was reprimanded by the school for abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1988 but allowed to continue teaching after owning up. He later abused a second boy – Mr Hastings – who he paid 50p each time he abused him.

IT consultant Mr Hastings hopes more people will come forward. He said: “The apology wasn’t an apology, it was saying ‘we have done everything right’.

“In terms of legal requirements, they may have done, but they were not doing the right thing by letting him get away with the first offence.

“I feel that Downside was infiltrated by paedophiles. The school needs to admit its failure to safeguard of children. It can then move forward and make it safer.”

White, who was known as Father Nicholas to the 1,500 students, was jailed for five years after being sheltered by the church for more than two decades, despite admitting his crimes to monastic staff at the time.

The court case heard the school received legal advice in the early 1990s that they were not required to tell the police what happened. Instead White was sent to monastic retreats over the next 20 years.

Police have confirmed two other men have received cautions as part of an investigation into historic sexual abuse at the school.

Downside has used monks for teaching for more than 200 years, but said they would be removed from the staff.

A spokesman for the school confirmed “a major review of the school’s governance” was taking place and “significant changes will be announced soon”.

“It is the school’s understanding that last year two former members of staff received cautions in relation to historical allegations. One of those left Downside in 1970. The other matter is unrelated to pupil welfare and concerns an 80-year-old former staff member.”