Former college chaplain is jailed for sexually abusing two pupils

A former college chaplain has been jailed for sexually abusing two pupils 40 years in the past.

Father Edward Phillips-Smith abused two boys whereas he was a chaplain at St Peter’s Collegiate School in Wolverhampton within the early 80s.

Phillips-Smith, 73, was often called ‘Father Eddie’ by the pupils, who used to ‘sit on his knee and he would tickle them’, Oxford Crown Court heard on Friday.

He sexually abused the 2 boys at a home. 

One of the victims, who can’t be named for authorized causes, known as him a ‘coward’ and stated he was ‘no man of God’ in a press release learn out in courtroom. 

The defendant pleaded responsible to at least one cost of indecent assault on a male and two counts of indecency with a toddler at a earlier listening to.

Fern Russell, prosecuting, stated: ‘He was often called Father Eddie, he was enjoyable at all times with the kids, who would sit on his knee.’ 

Father Edward Phillips-Smith abused two boys whereas he was a college chaplain

Phillips-Smith was a chaplain at St Peter’s Collegiate School in Wolverhampton (pictured) within the early Nineteen Eighties

She stated one sufferer described him as ‘very charming and humorous and adored by all the kids’.

Phillips-Smith was arrested in May final yr and answered no remark to all questions.

One of the sufferer statements learn out in courtroom stated: ‘He was the chaplain, non secular training instructor and supposedly somebody a pupil on the college ought to have the ability to belief and have a toddler’s finest pursuits at coronary heart.

‘I’ve come to understand this was removed from the case and it was solely his pursuits that he cared about.

‘I’ve spent 40 years making an attempt to make excuses, pretending it would not matter, that it’s going to go away, but it surely by no means does.

‘Did he ever contemplate the implications of his actions on us as his victims?

‘He known as himself Father however he is no man of God. He is a coward, nonetheless refusing to reply for his actions.’

Lucy Tapper, defending, stated: ‘It is true that Mr Edward Phillips-Smith has sought to plead responsible on the earliest alternative and prevented a trial and additional misery for [the victims].

‘There is real regret expressed by Mr Phillips-Smith, though he has problem recollecting the specifics. There has been no repetition.’

Oxford Crown Court (pictured) heard Phillips-Smith was often called ‘Father Eddie’ by the pupils, who used to ‘sit on his knee and he would tickle them’

Phillips-Smith would lead companies for the kids at St Peter’s Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton (pictured)

Phillips-Smith, of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, was sentenced to 32 months in jail, given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Judge Ian Pringle KC stated: ‘You had been broadly liked by the pupils of that faculty, you had been humorous, you weren’t as strict as a few of the different masters and the boys liked being with you, since you made them snort they usually sat in your knee and also you tickled them.’

The choose detailed the abuse and stated: ‘That episode has by no means left [the victim], that by no means will, and also you as a instructor had been able of absolute belief with that younger boy and also you abused that belief.’

He added: ‘In my view the suitable punishment for an offence of this nature can solely be achieved by quick custody.’