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Uckfield school pays tribute to bravery of victims of "abhorrent" paedo teacher Christopher Howarth
By Sean-Paul Doran
Paedophile teacher Christopher Howarth's former school has paid tribute to the bravery of his victims who came forward to bring him to justice. The ex-Uckfield Community Technology College deputy head teacher was convicted on Friday of 26 counts of abuse against two young boys. It followed a two-week trial during which one of his victims said he was initially reluctant to come forward to police because of the 68-year-old's status in the community. The college today released a statement branding the actions of the former lay priest as "shocking and abhorrent". It read: "The college is deeply shocked to learn the outcome of Chris Howarth's trial and our thoughts are immediately with the victims and their families, who have shown tremendous courage and strength in bringing the case to court; it is only hoped that with support they are able to rebuild their lives from this point forward. "Chris Howarth retired from the college eight years ago in 2007. As a teacher, as a member of the clergy and as a significant member of the Uckfield community, he was trusted by many people. "This makes the betrayal of trust by Rev Howarth with two vulnerable young boys so shocking and abhorrent. It is going to take time for the close community of Uckfield to come to terms with the breach in trust and the terrible abuse that has taken place. "The college has always maintained the very highest standards of safeguarding policies and procedures and these are regularly checked and scrutinised by East Sussex County Council and OfSTED. During the many years that Chris Howarth worked at the College there was never any concern or allegation made against him. "We will be working with local agencies to support anyone within the Uckfield community who is affected by the outcome of the trial." On Friday, Howarth was convicted at Hove Crown Court of 26 offences, all committed in the Uckfield area. The court was previously told he abused the youths at his Uckfield home, at church, in his school office and in his caravan in return for payments of up to £100 a week. 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 7 August. Howarth was convicted of 16 offences against one of the boys, between 2005 and 2011 when the boy was aged between 10 and 17. They were; three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; eight of sexual activity with a child; four of sexual assault on a child; and one of taking indecent photographs of a child.
He was found not guilty of two offences of assault on a child by penetration, and one of sexual activity with a child, all in respect of this boy. Howarth was also convicted of 10 offences against the other boy, between 2004 and 2009 when the boy was aged between 11 and 15. They were; four of sexual activity with a child; four of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two of causing a child to watch a sexual act. He was found not guilty of two offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act in relation to this boy. The prosecution, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, followed an investigation started by specialist Sussex Police child protection detectives in 2012. The investigation started in December 2012 when police were first told of allegations by the younger boy. Enquiries were made and Howarth was arrested in the same month. The second boy came forward with allegations during 2013. Detective Constable Amy Green said: "Howarth came to know the boys in his capacity as a lay priest at Holy Trinity CofE church in Uckfield, when they were very young, and befriended them over several years, giving support, but also offending against them. He was suspended by the Church as soon as the allegations came to light. "Some of the offences against both boys took place in the study at his home, and one of the boys was also assaulted in Howarth's office at Uckfield Community Technology College, where he was deputy principal until his retirement eight years ago. "The Diocese of Chichester and the College have given us full co-operation throughout this investigation.
"This was a complex and sensitive case, but it illustrates once again the way in which we will always take seriously such allegations, refer victims to sources of support and counselling, and where appropriate will recommend prosecution." Statement from the Church of England Diocese of Chichester "The Diocese is aware that Christopher Howarth was today (17 July) convicted at Hove Crown Court after a ten-day trial, of 26 offences, all committed in the Uckfield area. He was found not guilty of five offences "Howarth was ordained in 1983 and has served since that time exclusively as a non-stipendiary priest in the Uckfield benefice of Holy Cross, Uckfield St Margaret's, Isfield and St Michael's, Little Horsted whilst also working full time as Deputy Principal of Uckfield Community Technology College. "Howarth was suspended immediately the Diocese became aware of the allegations and he has been prohibited from exercising any kind of ministry ever since. "Two young lives have been irrevocably damaged as a result of Howarth's actions. He obviously betrayed the trust placed in him at many different levels across the community. The Diocese of Chichester offers Howarth's two victims our deepest apology and we commend them for their bravery in coming forward and being willing to give evidence. "The Diocese is aware that news of Howarth's conviction and sentence will come as a great shock to many in Uckfield and we are working in conjunction with others to offer pastoral care and support to those more widely affected, still struggling to believe that this could happen within their midst. "The Diocese now wishes to place on record its gratitude to the Sussex Police, Uckfield Community Technology College and other statutory authorities for the way they have been able to work together throughout the investigation. "The Diocese continues to work to create a safe space for adults and children in all of its communities. At the same time we remember and pray for all victims of abuse, their families and friends."
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