DARA DE OF COGAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AT AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE NEAR RYEDALE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community near Ryedale, Dara De, a 58-year-old former teacher and musician, has been sentenced to prison for a series of sexual offenses committed against a pupil at Ampleforth College. The incident has raised serious concerns about trust and safeguarding within the prestigious Catholic boarding school.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC delivered a stern verdict, condemning De for his betrayal of the trust placed in him by the girl’s parents and the institution. The judge stated, “You used her to satisfy your sexual desires and to act out your own sexual fantasies. It was an abject failure of the trust her parents had placed in Ampleforth College and more particularly in you.”

Prosecutor Dan Cordey detailed the disturbing nature of the abuse, revealing that De, who was a senior member of the Halle Orchestra and served as the head of strings at Ampleforth College, befriended the girl shortly after she became a boarder at the school. Over the course of her early years at the institution, De groomed her, acting as a surrogate father figure, before engaging in repeated sexual acts with her during her sixth form years.

The abuse was carried out both on and off school premises, including during school hours, and involved disturbing acts such as tying her up. The girl, now an adult woman, provided a victim impact statement in which she described how the trauma had profoundly affected her ability to trust others and form meaningful relationships. Despite the betrayal occurring within a Catholic environment, she stated that her faith had not been entirely shattered, although the revelations had shaken her deeply. De-Cogan’s threats, including telling her he would “throw him into hell” if she left him, added to her emotional distress.

De-Cogan, who resides in Kilburn near Thirsk, pleaded guilty to ten charges of engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison at York Crown Court. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was permanently banned from making any contact with the victim. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding within educational institutions, especially those with a religious affiliation, to prevent such devastating breaches of trust.