BishopAccountability.org
	'Sexual Predator' Abused His Trust This is South Devon September 1, 2007 http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=135239&command=displayContent&sourceNode=135077&contentPK=18265399&folderPk=79060&pNodeId=134831 United Kingdom — A former teacher who sexually abused six pupils at a Devon school has been jailed for 10 years and nine months. Former Royal Navy chaplain Paul Couch was convicted on August 2, but released on bail by the judge 'as an act of mercy' because his father is dying.Couch, 61, of Wyndham Street West, Plymouth, was sentenced at the city crown court for a catalogue of offences on boys, aged eight to 13, between 1972 and 1993 at the school, which is now closed. Judge Paul Darlow said Couch had committed a 'gross breach of trust' and that the boys at the school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, needed care and protection from the staff. "You were in fact a predator, a sexual predator in that community orientated school," he said. "You knew in what particular regard you would be held as a priest." Couch pleaded not guilty to two counts of a serious sexual assault and 15 of indecent assault. The jury took nearly eight hours to convict him of two counts of the serious sexual assault and 11 counts of indecent assault. He was acquitted of the remaining four counts. He was told he will serve half of his sentence and the second half will be suspended. Couch will also be put on the sexual offenders' register for life and disqualified from working with children for life. Judge Darlow said: "During the course of this trial you sought to portray these boys as liars. "These were not liars, fantasists, people mistaken or wrong, they were telling the truth." Barrister Nicholas Gerasimidis, for Couch, said the offences were not violent and that Couch posed a minimal risk of re-offending. "These were evil acts, but this was not an evil man," he said. "The risk of offending in the future is very low indeed. "These convictions have completely ended his life." During the trial prosecutor Ian Fenny said Couch was a man who had a 'dark secret personality' and 'found himself in a school surrounded by temptation'. Couch, who the court heard was in a powerful position of trust, taught religious studies and English and was also involved in sport and extracurricular activities. The court heard that at the time the boys were young and sexually naive and did not really understand what was happening to them. The police became involved in 2004 when a former pupil on remand in prison told a prison chaplain a member of staff at the school sexually abused him. Couch told police the allegations were 'disgusting and untrue' and any physical contact was 'horse-play' or 'tactile affection'. In evidence Couch denied prosecution suggestions that he took advantage of opportunities which presented themselves. He told the jury: "I did not abuse my position of trust or authority at any time." Couch said he was not a homosexual, but a heterosexual who had more than one relationship with adult women. He said the accusations were 'totally without truth' and he was sometimes tactile because 'sometimes a boy needs a father figure'. The prosecution had said some of the abuse happened during sailing trips, in the gym and while swimming. The court heard Couch left the school in 1978 to join the Royal Navy as a chaplain, returning to teach in 1983. He remained until 1992 when he rejoined the Royal Navy. In a statement The Right Reverend Christopher Budd, Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, said: "I am deeply saddened by these events and I am acutely aware of the distress caused to all concerned. "My thoughts and prayers are with those affected and their families." The Diocesan authorities say they have cooperated fully with the police investigations that have taken place. A Diocesan spokesman: "As soon as the allegations came to light Fr Couch was removed from all public ministry in accordance with national child protection policy. "Fr Couch joined the Plymouth Diocese in 1995. "Prior to his joining, the Diocesan authorities were not aware of any concerns relating to his conduct and ministry. "The Diocese remains fully committed to the protection and safety of children and young people." Police say they will always investigate allegations of child abuse, even those which stretch back into the past. Det Insp Steve White, who was in overall charge of the Operation Bowman investigation, said: "The custodial sentence reflects the serious nature of the offences. "Child abuse, whether current or historical, will always be subject of a thorough and detailed investigation by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. I would like to thank all of the staff from the school and the independently chaired child protection committee whose full co-operation throughout the investigation has proved essential. "I trust the verdict and sentence provides some form of closure for the victims who acted with the utmost of integrity throughout a long and protracted investigation and challenging court hearing."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.