Harrow Observer
September 14, 2011
http://www.harrowobserver.co.uk/west-london-news/local-harrow-news/2011/09/14/former-school-chaplain-admits-indecent-assaults-on-boys-116451-29423072/
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THE former chaplain of a Harrow preparatory school who admitted a string of indecent assaults on young boys faces prison when he is sentenced next month.
Father Leslie Carter, 84, of Bathwick Street, Bath, carried out the assaults on three victims, who were aged between nine and 12, between 1957 and 1977, Harrow Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
Carter, an Anglican priest, assaulted his first victim when he was chaplain of St George's School in Cape Town, South Africa on a boat between South Africa and the United Kingdom while on a school trip. Carter returned to the UK permanently in 1962 and abused his other two victims after he was appointed chaplain of Quainton Hall School on Hindes Road in 1968. The victims cannot be named for legal reasons.
Justin Bearman, prosecuting, said Carter engineered situations where he was alone with the boys at Quainton Hall in locations including a scout hut and a church on school grounds. He revealed the allegations first came to light in 2004 when one of Carter's victims enquired whether any complaints had been made against him in relation to the abuse.
He said: “This defendant preyed on young men, abused his position as a priest and school teacher and breached that trust in the most devastating way possible towards these three young men over an extensive period of time.”
Mr Bearman said Carter's victims had been told of his pleas and all were agreeable to the course of action. Carter faced a total of 23 charges – Judge Graham White ordered the remaining 14 to lie on filed.
Judge White told Carter he had abused his position of trust both as a priest and as a teacher.
He said: “A clear message must be sent out. All sentencing options remain open. A sentence of imprisonment is the most likely outcome.”
Carter, who was released on conditional bail, was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was told he would never be allowed to work with children again.
He will be sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on October 19.
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