Fomer Ealing Abbey Abbot On Trial For Historical Child Sex Offences

Laurence Soper was headteacher of St. Benedict's in the 70's and 80's

The former Abbott of Ealing Abbey has gone on trial at the Old Bailey accused of sexually abusing school children.

Prosecutors say the abuse took place between September 1972 and July 1983 while Father Laurence Soper was headmaster at St Benedict's School.

The court heard that the boys, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were subjected to sexual touching, penetration and beatings with a cane. The jury was told that several of the complainants came forward after reading about allegations of sexual abuse at the school on the internet.

After the accusations came to light the Old Bailey was told the Roman Catholic priest, now 74, was questioned on several occasions about the allegations but before he was due to be interviewed by police once more he withdrew £182,000 from his Vatican bank account and went on the run in Albania.

He was eventually located in Kosovo and an extradition order issued. He was arrested on 21st August 2016.

Soper, formerly of Peja, Kosovo, denies two counts of buggery, one count of indecency with a child, 10 counts of indecent assault on boys under 16 and six counts of indecent assault on boys under 18.

The trial continues.  

11th October 2017