Former Ealing Priest in Court Over Historic Sex Offences

Laurence Soper taught at St Benedict's in the 70s and 80s faces nine charges

A former Roman Catholic priest accused of historical sex offences against five boys at St Benedict's School has appeared in court.

Laurence Soper, 72, has appeared at Ealing Magistrates' Court facing nine charges which all allegedly took place at the school where he taught in the 1970s and 80s.

Mr Soper was arrested in 2010 and bailed, but failed to return to a London police station in March 2011. A European Arrest Warrant was issued for him in 2012 and he was detained in Kosovo in May.

He gave his name in court as Andrew Charles Kingston Soper - Laurence being the name he took when he was ordained as a priest.

Four of the charges, relate to a single alleged victim under the age of 14 and date from 9 September 1971 to 31 July 1974.

Two charges of indecent assault relate to a second boy aged under 16 and are alleged to have occurred between September 1979 and July 1981. Mr Soper also faces charges of indecent assault against three further boys under 16, alleged to have taken place between September 1980 and July 1983.

After teaching at St Benedict's, Mr Soper became abbot of Ealing Abbey, which had founded the school and supplied monks to teach there.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command had appealed for help in tracing Mr Soper.

He is due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 19 September

23rd August 2016