The man formerly employed as a school chaplain at St Peter's Collegiate School has admitted abusing a total of four boys while working in the Lichfield Diocese, a court heard. The offender, now terminally ill, was given a two-year community sentence for assaults on two pupils that took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Victim criticises sentence and offender's remorse
One of the victims, who gave his name as Will (not his real name), said the punishment did not match the harm inflicted. He told reporters he continues to suffer the effects of the abuse and that those affected "deserve more justice".
"To say he's remorseful, it's just absolute rubbish... he's only remorseful because he got found out," Will said.
Will said the abuser had claimed the assault involving him was "an isolated incident" during the earlier court process, a claim he disputes. He also described the recent community sentence as "lip service" and expressed frustration that the offender's illness appeared to have influenced the court's approach.
Background and legal outcome
Wolverhampton Crown Court was told the assaults occurred in the former chaplain's school accommodation and at his Staffordshire home. The two offences that led to the community sentence were reported to police after media coverage of an earlier trial in January 2024, in which the same man was jailed for 32 months for assaults on two other boys.
The offender, who was released on licence in May of the previous year, now lives in Essex. He was banned by the Church of England for life in January.
Impact on survivors
Will said he first reported the abuse to police in 2023 after being unable to escape recurring distress. He described long-term effects on his life, saying he felt he had lost opportunities and that the abuse continues to affect his daily life.
- Offences took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- The offender admitted to abusing four boys while employed at St Peter's Collegiate School.
- Earlier, he received a 32-month jail term in January 2024 for assaults on two pupils; later offences led to a two-year community sentence.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Earlier conviction (Jan 2024) | Jailed for 32 months for assaults on two boys |
| Recent sentence | Two-year community sentence for assaults on two other boys |
| Status | Released on licence in May; now living in Essex; banned by Church of England for life |
The reporting of additional victims following media coverage of the 2024 trial demonstrates how public attention can prompt further disclosures in historical abuse cases. Survivors and campaigners often point to the long delay between offences and reporting as a barrier to securing convictions and appropriate sentences.
What this means locally
For the Wolverhampton community, the case is a reminder of the enduring impact of historic abuse within institutions. It raises questions about how courts balance an offender's health and life expectancy against the gravity of offences and the needs of victims for recognition and redress.
Those affected by sexual abuse can seek support from local victim services and national helplines. Relevant organisations and support bodies can provide counselling, practical assistance and information about reporting and the criminal justice process.
The Diocese and the school have previously faced scrutiny in relation to safeguarding; the lifetime ban by the Church of England is among steps taken in response to the findings in this case.
