Former Uckfield Teacher and Lay Priest Found Guilty of Sex Offences

Sussex Express
July 16, 2015

http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/breaking-news-former-uckfield-teacher-and-lay-priest-found-guilty-of-sex-offences-1-6856575


A former Uckfield deputy principal and lay priest has been convicted of sexual offences against two boys.

Christopher Howarth, of Rocks Park Road, Uckfield, was convicted at Hove Crown Court on Friday (July 17) after a ten-day trial.

The retired 68-year-old was found guilty of 26 offences, all committed in the Uckfield area. He was found not guilty of five offences.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two other sexual offences against one of the boys.

Howarth, who had been on court bail during the trial, was remanded in custody for sentencing on August 7.

Howarth was convicted of 16 offences against one of the boys, between 2005 and 2011.

They were; three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; eight counts of sexual activity with a child; four counts of sexual assault on a child; and one of taking indecent photographs of a child.

He had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to causing or inciting a child to take part in sexual activity, and during the trial before the jury retired, he also pleaded guilty to an offence of taking indecent photographs of a child, both in relation to the same boy.