Monk jailed for abusing two boys at Somerset school

Richard David White taught at Downside School in the 1980s

A monk who taught at a Roman Catholic school in Somerset has been jailed for five years for child sex offences.

Richard David White, 66, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault and two of gross indecency with a boy at a previous hearing last November.

He asked that four offences against another boy, who has never complained to police, also be taken into account.

White, of Hyde, Fordingbridge, Hampshire was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court.

The offences took place in the 1980s when he taught at Downside School in Stratton-on-the-Fosse.

The court heard that White was warned about his behaviour after molesting one 12-year-old boy but, instead of being reported to police, the Benedictine abbot of the monastery, which is attached to the school, simply prevented him from teaching younger students.

He went on to indecently assault a second boy - the one he was charged with assaulting - over the course of several months while he was aged 12 and 13.

'Truly sorry'

Sentencing White, Judge Graham Hume Jones said: "You targeted this complainant and took advantage of his interest in old books and maps, you gave him access to the monastery library which is not normally open to pupils to indulge in your own sexual gratification."

White groomed the victim by giving him small sums of money.

The judge said he acknowledged there was no evidence to show he committed any further offences beyond 1989.

One of his victims who attended court said it was an "appropriate" sentence and would highlight to Downside School "the risks of religious orders running educational establishments without the necessary safety nets".

He called for an apology from the Roman Catholic Church which runs the school.

The Abbott for Downside School said: "Our first thoughts are for those who were abused as children.

"Being conscious that the care of children is our paramount concern as educators, we are truly sorry that any child should have been abused at Downside."

He added that White has lived under restrictions since 1998 and has been withdrawn from active ministry.