Monk tells court pupil relationship was consensual

The alleged offences took place at Ampleforth College between 1994 and 2013, according to prosecutors

A monk accused of sexually abusing two boys at a Catholic boarding school told a court his relationship with one pupil had been consensual.

Michael James Callaghan, 71, is on trial for alleged sexual offences between 1994 and 2013 while he was a housemaster at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire.

Mr Callaghan, of Moortown, Leeds, is accused of repeatedly indecently assaulting one boy and one count of sexual assault against a 17-year-old boy.

He denies the charges but told Teesside Crown Court he had been attracted to one of the teenagers and had some sexual contact with him.

The first complainant told police Mr Callaghan first kissed him when he was under 16, the court heard, with the housemaster asking to meet him after mass at different locations.

He told officers Mr Callaghan would "take on the role of a boy I had a crush on" and they would kiss and simulate sex, the jury was told.

He said he "hated the sexual bit of it", the court heard, and realised as an adult it "wasn't right".

Giving evidence, Mr Callaghan admitted he and the complainant engaged in "roleplay" but denied simulating sex.

The defendant said any sexual contact only started when the boy was "about 17", adding: "By the time he was in sixth form I realised there was certainly an element of attraction that had entered my perception of him."

Opening the prosecution case earlier in the week, Mark McKone KC said: "Whatever [the complainant's] age, this was not true consent - this was not consent given freely by someone who had a real choice."

Asked about the alleged sexual assault on the second complainant, Mr Callaghan said he hugged him but did not touch him inappropriately.

Mr Callaghan denies a charge of sexual assault related to a 17-year-old pupil and 12 charges of indecent assault connected to a pupil aged between 14 and 18.

The trial continues.

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