PIERS GRANT JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AT AMPLEFORTH NEAR FERRIS AND GILLING CASTLE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community surrounding Ampleforth and the nearby town of Ferris, Piers Grant, a 72-year-old Benedictine monk, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to a series of serious sexual offenses committed against young boys under his care. The crimes, which involved 20 counts of indecent assault, took place over a period spanning from 1966 to 1975, during which Grant served as a teacher at Gilling Castle Preparatory School, a feeder institution for the renowned Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire.

All of the allegations pertain to boys under the age of 12, and the investigation into Grant’s conduct was initiated following a comprehensive inquiry by North Yorkshire Police into activities at Ampleforth Abbey. The Abbey, which is closely associated with the prestigious Ampleforth College, became the focus of scrutiny after concerns were raised about the safety and welfare of students during the period in question. Gilling Castle Prep School, where Grant was employed, later merged with another school and is now known as St Martin’s Ampleforth.

Grant-Ferris was arrested and charged as part of the police investigation, which uncovered disturbing evidence of his misconduct. In November, he pleaded guilty to all 20 counts, and his case was brought before Leeds Crown Court. Judge Ian Dobkin sentenced him to two years in prison, ordered him to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, and prohibited him from working with children until further notice. The court was informed that during his time at Gilling Castle Prep School, students viewed him as “a bit of a crackpot,” a comment that underscored the lack of suspicion or concern at the time.

Following the sentencing, an official spokesperson from Ampleforth Abbey stated that Grant-Ferris’s association with the school ended in 1975, emphasizing that the abuse occurred decades ago. The Abbot of Ampleforth, Fr Cuthbert Madden, expressed profound disappointment and condemnation of Grant’s actions, describing them as a “serious betrayal” of his responsibilities as a monk, teacher, and adult member of society. Madden emphasized that regardless of the standards of the era, such conduct was unacceptable then and remains so today.

In a public statement made after the court hearing, Grant-Ferris issued an apology to his victims, acknowledging the pain caused by his actions. Madden further highlighted the significant progress made in safeguarding children in recent years, noting that current school policies include rigorous reporting, monitoring, and pastoral supervision frameworks that were nonexistent during the time of the offenses.

It is worth noting that this case is not isolated; in September, another former staff member at Ampleforth College, Father Gregory Carroll, was sentenced to prison after admitting to 15 counts of indecent assault and five counts of gross indecency committed between 1973 and 1983 when he served as a Junior House master at the college. Detective Superintendent Barry Honeyett, who led the investigation, revealed that the inquiry into abuse at Ampleforth spanned two years and involved interviews with more than 500 former pupils, highlighting the extensive nature of the investigation and the widespread impact of these crimes.