PHILIP TEMPLE AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN LONDON
A former Catholic priest and children’s home worker named Philip Temple has been sentenced to serve 12 years in prison after confessing to the sexual abuse of thirteen children, with crimes dating back to the 1970s.The sentencing took place at Woolwich Crown Court, where Temple admitted to a total of 20 charges of sexual assault in April, followed by an additional seven charges this week.
This case is notable not only because of the extensive timeframe of the abuse but also because Temple had previously faced the criminal justice system twice in the late 1990s.
During the first trial, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, which resulted in Temple being acquitted after a retrial.
However, the current sentencing reflects the culmination of new evidence and allegations that came to light, leading to his guilty plea.
Before the judge, Christopher Hehir, handed down the sentence on Wednesday, he expressed remorse and acknowledged a miscarriage of justice that had occurred nearly two decades earlier.
The judge extended an apology directly to one victim, who was present in court, stating, “justice was not done when you came to court in 1998 and 1999.” This particular victim, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, shared heartbreaking testimony revealing the long-lasting effects of the abuse.
They described becoming a self-harming recluse and having attempted suicide following the trials, emphasizing the deep psychological scars inflicted by Temple’s actions.
The victim also criticized Temple as “an extremely skilled liar and manipulator with sociopathic qualities,” indicating the profound impact of his manipulations.
The court also heard that a missed opportunity for justice occurred when Temple’s youngest known victim, aged six or seven when abused in the early 1970s while Temple was working for Wandsworth council in South London, attempted to seek justice via civil proceedings against the council in 1991.
According to prosecutor Jonathan Polnay, this case “appeared to be settled with no payment,” and law enforcement did not pursue further investigation when the young victim reported the abuse four years later.
This oversight left the abuse unaddressed for many years, allowing Temple’s misconduct to continue.
Temple’s criminal misconduct extended across multiple roles within local government and religious institutions.
He was found to have sexually assaulted boys and at least one girl during his employment with Wandsworth and Lambeth councils in the 1970s.
Later, in 1988, he became an ordained Catholic priest.
Throughout the 1990s, while serving at Christ the King monastery, Vita Et Pax in Cockfosters, North London, Temple assaulted two altar boys.
The judge specifically remarked that Temple’s decision to pursue ordination was an “aggravating factor” in his criminal conduct.
In his remarks, Judge Hehir criticized Temple’s deceitful conduct, pointing out that Temple exploited the trust granted to him by pretending to be a sincere priest.
The judge stated, “You of course exploited the opportunities your deceit as to your character had afforded you, not only by sexually abusing children but, as a priest, by lying on oath to deny the truthful accusations brought against you by one of your victims.” He further condemned Temple, describing him as “a wolf in shepherd’s clothing,” underscoring the betrayal of moral and spiritual trust.
The Metropolitan Police’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation, and Child Abuse (SOECA) unit launched an investigation into Temple after receiving credible information linking him to multiple offenses.
He was arrested on July 6 of the previous year.
Lambeth council announced that it is cooperating fully with the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA), expressing hope that the investigation’s outcomes will offer some measure of solace to the victims.
Additionally, the Diocese of Westminster issued a statement acknowledging Temple’s sentencing and confirming that it has fully cooperated with law enforcement authorities throughout the investigation.
The diocese also reassured the public that it maintains strict safeguarding policies and rigorous screening procedures for individuals seeking to enter the priesthood.
Throughout the proceedings, Temple, who is currently without a fixed address, also confessed to two counts of perjury related to his earlier trials, further illustrating the extent of his dishonesty and manipulation.
This case leaves a lasting scar on the communities affected and highlights ongoing concerns about safeguarding and accountability within religious and public institutions in London.
