Priest Faces Jail for Abusing Schoolboys

08/13/09
Original article

A PERVERTED priest who admitted sexually abusing schoolboys in his care for a period of 36 years has been warned to expect jail.

Father David Pearce, of Ealing Abbey, in Charlbury Grove, Ealing, had originally denied the allegations made by five pupils at St Benedict's School, Ealing, where he had been headmaster.

The assaults involved caning and intimate touching. But the 67-year-old, who had been dubbed Gay Dave by pupils in the school, changed his plea to guilty at the last moment as the trial at Isleworth Crown Court was about to go ahead.

Father Pearce, who retired from his role as head of the school 15 years ago, admitted 10 indecent assaults against four boys under 16 and sexually assaulting a fifth. Restrictions had been placed on him by superiors.

Judge Andrew McDowall, at Isleworth Crown Court, told Pearce to expect a substantial sentence and added: "You should have acknowledged your guilt sooner."

He will return to the court to be sentenced in October.

Outside the court, one victim blamed the church, saying: "They knew what he was up to. Devil in a dog collar sums him up."

Pearce started his abuse at the school in 1972, but it ended last January when he was arrested at his home, after claims had been lodged by a pupil.

Westminster RC diocese said: "Ealing Abbey is deeply saddened by the case."

Ealing Abbey founded the school in 1902 and monks act as trustees. The school admits pupils aged four to 18 and has a mixed sixth form.

Famous alumni include the former governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten and the comedian Julian Clary.