RICHARD WHITE FROM FORDINGBRIDGE AND STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SOMERSET

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Fordingbridge and Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Richard White, a 66-year-old former monk, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a series of child sexual offences committed during the 1980s. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about White’s actions while he was employed as a teacher at Downside School, a renowned institution located in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset.

Richard David White, who resides in Hyde, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency involving a young boy. These admissions came during a hearing held last November, where White also requested that four additional offences against another boy, who has never reported any abuse to the authorities, be considered as part of his sentencing. The court was informed that these offences also took place during his tenure at the school.

The offences in question occurred during the 1980s, a period when White was actively teaching at Downside School. The court heard that White’s misconduct was initially brought to light after he molested a 12-year-old boy. Despite being warned about his inappropriate behaviour, White was not reported to the police. Instead, the Benedictine abbot of the monastery attached to the school chose to restrict White’s teaching duties, preventing him from working with younger students, but did not take further legal action at that time.

Further allegations detailed that White went on to indecently assault a second boy, the victim involved in the current case, over several months when he was aged 12 and 13. The court heard that White groomed his victim by giving him small sums of money and exploiting his interest in old books and maps. The victim was given access to the monastery library, which was not normally open to pupils, as a means for White to indulge in his own sexual gratification.

Judge Graham Hume Jones, presiding over the case, sentenced White with a stern warning. He stated, “You targeted this complainant and took advantage of his interest in old books and maps. You gave him access to the monastery library, which is not normally open to pupils, to indulge in your own sexual gratification.” The judge acknowledged that there was no evidence to suggest White committed any further offences beyond 1989. White was also noted to have been living under restrictions since 1998 and had been withdrawn from active ministry.

One of White’s victims, who attended the court hearing, described the sentence as “appropriate” and expressed hope that it would serve as a warning to other institutions. The victim emphasized the importance of highlighting the risks associated with religious orders running educational establishments without adequate safeguarding measures. Additionally, the victim called for an apology from the Roman Catholic Church, which oversees Downside School.

The abbot of Downside School issued a statement expressing their concern and remorse, saying, “Our first thoughts are for those who were abused as children. Being conscious that the care of children is our paramount concern as educators, we are truly sorry that any child should have been abused at Downside.” The abbot also confirmed that White has been living under restrictions since 1998 and has been removed from active ministry roles. This case follows a previous incident in 2004, when a Benedictine monk was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possessing indecent images of schoolboys and child pornography while working at Downside School, highlighting ongoing issues related to safeguarding within the institution.