Police probe new claim over child abuser ex-priest

Edward Phillips-Smith admitted two counts of historical child sex abuse earlier this month after being jailed over previous crimes in 2024

A former school chaplain jailed for historical sex abuse is being investigated again by police after a complaint emerged about his time at another school.

Edward Phillips-Smith, 74, was jailed in January 2024 for 32 months after admitting sexually abusing schoolchildren at his Staffordshire home in the 1980s.

Earlier this month, the retired priest pleaded guilty to additional sex crimes relating to a boy in Staffordshire, for which he will be sentenced on 9 January.

Now Thames Valley Police has said it is investigating a complaint of "inappropriate behaviour" dating to a later 15-year period when Phillips-Smith was working in Ascot, Berkshire.

The chair of governors at that site, Papplewick prep school, where Phillips-Smith worked as chaplain between 1993 and 2008, has encouraged anyone with concerns about his time there to get in touch.

Previous court proceedings heard the priest, known to pupils as Father Eddie, exploited his position as chaplain to gain the trust of pupils at St Peter's Collegiate School, Wolverhampton, in the early 1980s.

In 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on a male and two counts of indecency with a child at a property in Brewood, Staffordshire.

In a statement read to the court, one of Phillips-Smith's victims described his actions as "selfish, exploitative" and "perverted".

He groomed young pupils in a locked schoolroom and used his size to try to intimidate them, a victim told the BBC.

The former chaplain was jailed for 32 months and subsequently released on licence in May this year.

Earlier this month, at Cannock Magistrates' Court, he admitted further charges of indecent assault of a boy under the age of 14, and to inciting the boy to commit an act of gross indecency.

These charges relate to incidents in Brewood, Staffordshire, between 1982 and 1983.

Phillips-Smith was employed as chaplain at Papplewick prep school in Ascot, Berkshire, from 1993-2008

Thames Valley Police has since confirmed it is investigating an allegation dating back to Phillips-Smith's time as chaplain at Papplewick.

Following concerns raised by former pupils after the priest's conviction last year, a Papplewick spokesperson said the school's governing board commissioned independent safeguarding experts to conduct a review of records relating to his employment there.

The review, the results of which have not been made public, identified "some concerns about his behaviour", chair of governors Andrew Try wrote on the school website, with police and the local authority informed.

Thames Valley Police said it had also received a report from a former Papplewick pupil in March 2024 of "inappropriate behaviour of a teacher tickling a pupil at the school".

"Around the same time, the school also provided us with its internal review," a spokesperson said.

They added: "The force analysed both the former pupil's report and the school's review, but at that time the details did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation.

"However, new information has now been received in relation to the former pupil's report, so this investigation has been reopened and is currently being investigated."

Police confirmed the report related to Phillips-Smith's employment at Papplewick, where the BBC understands the chaplain also taught pupils and was a form tutor.

Phillips-Smith has previously pleaded guilty to counts of child sex abuse relating to incidents in Staffordshire in the 1980s

A Papplewick spokesperson said: "Following his more recent conviction for offences at a different school, we welcome the police inquiries into concerns raised about Mr. Phillips-Smith's time at the school and we will support those inquiries in any way we can."

They added: "We remain fully committed to supporting and listening to our former pupils, and would encourage anyone with information or worries to come forward in confidence.

"Safeguarding today is an absolute priority: our policies, culture and practice are robust, regularly reviewed, and focused on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every pupil in our care."

Mr Try wrote on the school website: "In light of the recent conviction, we want to reassure all former pupils, parents, and staff that we are here to listen and to provide support. Anyone with concerns about Mr. Phillips-Smith's time at Papplewick is encouraged to come forward."

He added: "The channels to the police and LADO (local authority designated officer) remain open for anyone wishing to report concerns formally."

'No record of complaints'

Prior to his time at Papplewick, Phillips-Smith also worked at Edgarley Hall in Somerset, now Millfield Prep School, between 1989 and 1992.

After his retirement, he moved to Frinton-on-Sea, Essex.

The Diocese of Oxford, which covers the Berkshire area, previously said it became aware of Phillips-Smith during a review of historic cases, with relevant information relating to his time in Wolverhampton passed to police.

The Diocese of Bath and Wells confirmed Phillips-Smith was a chaplain there between 1989 and 1995, but said it had no record of any complaints against him.