UNITED KINGDOM
The Argus
A FORMER priest and deputy school headmaster “preyed” on two young boys for his own sexual gratification over a seven year period, a court has heard.
Christopher Howarth appeared yesterday at Hove Trial Centre accused of 20 counts of sexual activity with the two boys, between 2004 and 2011.
The 67-year-old is accused of engaging the boys, who were pupils at the school and members of his congregation, in sexual activity in return for up to £100 a time, computer games and mobile phone contracts.
Howarth, of Rocks Park Road in Uckfield, said the boys’ allegations were motivated by “financial gain” knowing he had a second bank account containing thousands of pounds.
The former deputy headteacher at Uckfield Community Technology College said he treated the boys like “his own children” and while he could be “tactile” with them or kiss them, there was “nothing inappropriate” about their relationship.
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