PAUL DAVEY FROM ST HELENS SENT TO PRISON FOR SECOND TIME FOR ABUSING BOYS AT LIVERPOOL DE LA SALLE SCHOOL

In October 2014, Paul Davey, a former Christian Brother associated with the De La Salle school in Croxteth, Liverpool, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a former pupil. This marked his second imprisonment related to such offenses, highlighting a troubling pattern of abuse that spanned several years.

Davey, aged 58 at the time, previously served a 30-month sentence after his 1996 conviction for abusing four boys during the late 1980s. His history of offending was brought into focus during his latest trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where Judge David Aubrey, QC, delivered a stern judgment. The judge emphasized the betrayal of trust inherent in Davey’s actions, especially considering the mission of the De La Salle order, which aims to inspire and nurture students' hearts and minds. Instead, Davey’s conduct was a profound violation of that mission, particularly damaging to his victims.

The court heard how a fifth victim, who came forward in 2012 following the death of his mother, recounted his experiences. He revealed that he was abused at the school during an audition for a school performance in either 1987 or 1988. Additionally, he described an incident at a De La Salle retreat in North London around the turn of the decade. On the latter occasion, Davey instructed the victim to “keep your mouth shut” after removing his cassock and assaulting him while pinning him down on a bed. The victim’s statement detailed the profound impact of these abuses, which extended beyond the immediate trauma.

Judge Aubrey summarized the victim’s suffering, noting that he now struggles to trust teachers and members of the Catholic church, which he was raised to believe would help and protect him. The betrayal had shattered that trust, leading to ongoing flashbacks and emotional scars that would likely persist for the rest of his life. The judge pointed out that Davey’s actions contributed significantly to the victim’s current mental health struggles, emphasizing that Davey was supposed to be a protector but instead exploited his position for sexual gratification.

Following his release from prison, Davey worked for the Inland Revenue but resigned after his arrest related to these allegations. His defense lawyer, Tom Watson, requested that the prison sentence be suspended, arguing that Davey had shown remorse and had attempted to reform himself during his previous incarceration. Watson described Davey as a “reformed character” who was genuinely frightened at the prospect of returning to prison, acknowledging that his time behind bars had been a difficult but potentially transformative experience.

However, Judge Aubrey dismissed these pleas, citing the severity of the offenses. He underscored that the trauma inflicted upon the victims, particularly the one who came forward in 2012, remained deeply ingrained even after more than 20 years. The court determined that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate given the gravity of the crimes.

Paul Davey, of Bentinck Street, St Helens, admitted to two counts of indecent assault on a boy under 16. The case underscored the disturbing reality of abuse within institutions that are supposed to serve as safe havens for young people. The De La Salle mission, which is to provide human and Christian education especially to the poor, was starkly contrasted by the betrayal committed by Davey, whose actions have left lasting scars on his victims and tarnished the reputation of the organization.