PETER TURNER ABUSE SCANDAL IN WORKINGTON AND YORKSHIRE REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of North Yorkshire and Cumbria, Peter Turner, an 80-year-old man with a dark history of sexual abuse, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his heinous crimes. Turner, who was once known by the alias Father Gregory Carroll during his time as a monk, was convicted of multiple counts of sexual misconduct involving young boys, some of whom were as young as nine years old.

Turner's criminal activities span over three decades, with his most recent offenses coming to light after he admitted to abusing three boys aged between nine and 12, more than 30 years ago. The crimes took place after he was compelled to leave his position at Ampleforth College, a prestigious Catholic boarding school in North Yorkshire, and was subsequently assigned to serve in a parish in Workington, Cumbria. The court heard that despite his confession of sexual contact with a pupil, Turner continued to commit further abuses, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.

On Wednesday, at York Crown Court, Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, handed down a sentence of 20 years and 10 months to Turner. The defendant pleaded guilty to an extensive list of charges, including 11 counts of indecent assault, two counts of buggery, and one count of gross indecency with a child. These charges relate to offenses committed more than 30 years ago, reflecting the long-standing nature of his criminal conduct.

It was also revealed that Turner had previously served time in prison in 2005 after admitting to offenses against ten pupils at Ampleforth College between 1979 and 1987. His prior conviction underscores a troubling pattern of abuse that persisted over many years, despite earlier legal consequences.

Judge Morris did not hold back in his condemnation of Turner, stating, “You have brought evil into this world when, by your calling, you should have brought hope, help and succour.” This stark remark underscores the betrayal of trust inherent in Turner's actions, especially given his role as a religious figure meant to serve as a moral guide.

Pauline McCullagh, representing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), expressed her outrage over the case, emphasizing the gravity of Turner's betrayal. She stated, “Turner committed a truly sickening breach of trust, sexually abusing young boys who innocently placed their trust in him as a monk and priest. He blighted their childhoods, in pursuit of his own depraved sexual gratification. His victims have shown tremendous strength and bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation and prosecution. Thanks to them, the true scale of his criminality is becoming clear. Our thoughts remain with them as they have been throughout.”

In a related development, in January 2006, Turner, then known as Father Gregory Carroll, had his prison sentence reduced by 12 months from four years to three, following an appeal by his legal team. The Court of Appeal in London deemed the original sentence “manifestly excessive,” reflecting ongoing legal debates about appropriate punishment for such offenses.

Earlier, in September 2005, Carroll was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing ten boys over an eight-year period at Ampleforth College during the early 1990s. Judge Paul Hoffman described the offenses as part of a grooming process involving the young pupils, emphasizing the calculated nature of his misconduct. The court heard that Carroll, who pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault, had initially confessed to a sexual encounter with a boy in 1987, which led to his suspension and transfer to a parish in Cumbria. However, he later returned to Ampleforth and admitted that his abuse was more widespread than previously acknowledged.

During the proceedings, psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Mann was called in to conduct a risk assessment of Carroll, but the process was hindered when the school’s administration withheld relevant documents about his sexual history. This lack of transparency ultimately led to the authorities being alerted, and Carroll’s case was brought before the court. Prosecutor Jeremy Goss QC highlighted the distress caused to victims, some of whom described their experiences as “a weird experience,” with one victim recounting being chased around a room by Carroll after an assault.

In his defense, Carroll’s lawyer, Nicola Gatto, argued that her client was naive and unworldly, having had his first sexual experience only at the age of 34. She emphasized that Carroll had expressed deep revulsion for his actions and described his behavior as grotesque. The court ordered Carroll to register as a sex offender upon release and imposed a lifetime ban on working with children.

Following the sentencing, Father Cuthbert Madden, Abbot of Ampleforth, issued a formal apology to the victims, expressing remorse and regret for the harm caused. He acknowledged that although the offenses took place more than 20 years ago, the damage inflicted on the victims and their families remains profound. Madden emphasized that the community continues to pray for and support the victims, reaffirming their commitment to caring for those affected by the abuse and to upholding the moral standards expected of their institution.