Monk guilty of sexually abusing two pupils at Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire

Michael Callaghan, aged 71, was found guilty this week of 13 sexual offences against children while employed at Ampleforth College, a fee-paying school near Helmsley. 12 of these offences related to the same individual who attended the college in the 1990s. 

The court heard how the former housemaster befriended and tried to support a distressed pupil, before ‘a sexual element crept in’. Another former student reported being groped by the monk in 2013 following an interview as part of a school project. 

Callaghan, who denied sexual abuse, is due for sentencing next month at Teesside Crown Court. After hearing the verdict, Judge Richard Clews stated ‘it is highly likely the only realistic sentence available to me will be immediate imprisonment’, although this is not guaranteed. 

The college is not new to scandal surrounding sexual abuse. An investigation was launched by the Charity Commission following a number of reports in 2016 of sexual abuse perpetrated by staff against pupils. In particular, allegations were made against Father Bernard Green, Father Gregory Carroll, Father Piers Grant-Ferris, David Lowe and Dara De Cogan. 

The Commission’s report found there to be ‘significant weaknesses’ in safeguarding procedure, including at least nine unreported instances occurring between 2014 and 2016 alone. Meanwhile the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse identified a ‘culture of acceptance of abusive behaviour’.

Sexual abuse, especially by those in a position of trust or power, can profoundly impact those who experience it, often having a lifelong effect. That’s why our specially trained child abuse solicitors work closely alongside psychologists and barristers to support you both emotionally and legally.

Justice for child abuse survivors should be accessible no matter how long ago it happened. Jordans Solicitors have previously represented former pupils of Ampleforth College, having successfully obtained compensation for survivors of abuse perpetrated by Father Piers Grant-Ferris and Father Gregory Carol.