UNITED KINGDOM
Ham & High
Paul Wright
Thursday, April 3, 2014
A senior figure in Catholic education who was found in possession of more than 5,000 images of child abuse has been spared prison and could even return to working in the church.
The judge described Friar Timothy Gardner’s actions as “depraved” but suspended his eight-month sentence for two years.
Gardner, 42, who was based at St Dominic’s Priory, Southampton Road, Gospel Oak, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.
The court heard that he taught religious education (RE) at Maria Fidelis Catholic School, Phoenix Road, Somers Town, for six years from 2006 to 2012, and even lobbied the government as adviser to the Catholic Education Service.
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