BishopAccountability.org
	Pupil 'Measured Naked' by Priest Lancashire Evening Post March 23, 2009 http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Pupil-39measured-naked39-by-priest.5099957.jp An ex-pupil at Preston Catholic College was the victim of "insidious" abuse by a priest, a court has heard. Patrick Raggett, 50, says he was measured naked, indecently touched and forced to shower with Father Micahel Spencer. Mr Raggett, who has waived his right to anonymity, is suing the Jesuit-run school for £5m in a landmark case at the High Court. The former city lawyer was close to tears as he described how he was abused by Fr Spencer. Mr Raggett said he suffered years of under-achievement at work, a failed marriage and binge drinking - but did not link his experiences at the school until he had a breakdown in April 2005. The High Court heard how Mr Raggett said he had a golden childhood and had done exceptionally well at school before he went, in 1969, to the College which "the Jesuits ruled with a rod of iron". Robert Seabrook QC, said the College, which closed in 1978, was rigorous in educational matters and administered corporal punishment for failure. Fr Spencer taught French and coached football and used his obsession with the sport and photography to augment his deviant tendencies. Father Spencer took an instant liking to the "cherubic rather pretty little boy" who was captain of the under-11 team, the court heard. Mr Raggett was one of three boys whom he would measure while they were naked, film with his cine-camera and photograph to "chart their growth". Father Spencer also began to invite himself for lunch with Mr Raggett's family and took him to see George Best play for Manchester United, squeezing his thigh if a goal was scored. Father Spencer died in 2001, aged 76. Mr Raggett told the court: "My employment record is so far away from what it should have been - that causes me a huge amount of anguish. "To know what one could have been and not be anything remotely approaching that is very painful."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.