CHARLES NAPIER SHERBORNE SEX OFFENDER: DISTURBING REVELATIONS FROM SOUTHWARK CROWN COURT

In a shocking development, Charles Napier, a man with a long history of sexual offenses and linked to notorious organizations, was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Southwark Crown Court for a series of heinous crimes involving young boys. The case has cast a dark shadow over his life and the community of Sherborne, where he resides.

Napier, aged 67, was found guilty of carrying out hundreds of sexual assaults on boys aged between eight and thirteen over several decades. The court heard that his abuse spanned from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, with the youngest victims being only eight years old. Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith condemned Napier for his grave breach of trust, especially considering his role as a teacher at a preparatory school in West Sussex during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Napier, who once served as a senior member of the Paedophile Information Exchange—a group that campaigned in the 1970s and 1980s to lower the age of consent to as young as four—had a disturbing history of sexual misconduct. He previously served nine months in prison in 1995 for abusing a boy under 16, whom he enticed to his Surrey home during the 1980s. Despite his past convictions, Napier continued to exhibit brazen and opportunistic behavior, abusing 21 boys under the age of 16 while working as a teacher.

Much of his abuse took place in a workshop, where he would prepare the environment by rolling out a mattress, offering boys chocolate biscuits and alcohol before assaulting them. Napier’s actions were described as “brazen,” with the court noting that he believed he was in “relationships” with his victims and claimed to be “very fond” of them all. His youngest victims were only eight years old, yet he showed no remorse, and police reports indicated he believed his actions were justified.

Investigations uncovered that Napier’s misconduct was not limited to his time as a teacher. In 1992, police raided his house in Evesham, Worcestershire, discovering child abuse images from Amsterdam and a “quarter-century of correspondence” between paedophiles across Britain and internationally. Further probing led authorities to a flat in South London, where they found a letter from Napier boasting about his life in Cairo, where he had worked as a British Council envoy. In the letter, he bragged about having easy access to young boys and sending obscene images back to Britain via diplomatic bags.

Napier’s disturbing past is further compounded by his connections to the now-disbanded Paedophile Information Exchange, which sought to normalize “child love” and reduce the age of consent. His involvement in this organization, along with his previous convictions, paints a troubling picture of a man who repeatedly exploited his position and trust for sexual gratification.

In addition to his criminal activities, Napier’s reputation was marred by his involvement in community activities. In November 2012, he resigned as director of a Sherborne theatre group, the Amateur Players of Sherborne, amid allegations of links to a paedophile ring from the 1980s. Napier publicly expressed remorse, stating he was “devastated” that his past had resurfaced and that he was involved in activities he deeply regretted. The theatre society canceled its upcoming production of Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale” following his resignation.

Further investigations linked Napier to a broader network of paedophiles, with MP Tom Watson calling for police to re-examine evidence related to Peter Righton, the founder of PIE, who was convicted in 1992. Napier, who had long since detached himself from PIE, admitted to being its treasurer in the past but insisted he had moved on from those dark times.

Despite his efforts to distance himself from his past, the community of Sherborne remains deeply affected by the revelations. Local authorities and police continue to review the extent of Napier’s offenses, which are believed to number in the hundreds. His case underscores the importance of vigilance and the ongoing fight against sexual abuse, especially involving trusted community members and educators.

In light of these events, residents of Sherborne are urged to remain cautious and report any concerns. The community’s safety and well-being are paramount, and authorities are committed to ensuring justice is served for all victims involved in this disturbing case.