A TOP Catholic school is facing legal action after a priest was jailed for 'systematically' sexually abusing boys.
Father William Green, 67, admitted abusing six boys while he was head of religious education at St Bede's College, in Alexandra Park, Manchester more than 20 years ago.
He was sentenced to a total of 30 years, but will serve only six as the terms will run concurrently.
A lawyer representing five of his victims said they had expected Green to be given a longer sentence and are now taking further legal action.
Richard Scorer, of legal firm Pannone, said: "I can confirm that we will be proceeding with civil cases, mainly against St Bede's.
"What we have heard in court is a shameful catalogue of abuse involving many hundreds of offences over two decades at this school."
Green, of Cale Lane, Aspull, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to 27 assaults on six boys aged between 11 and 15. He also admitted an assault on an eight year old at another school where he had taught previously.
Read more on this story - College will 'continue to co-operate'
Since leaving St Bede's in 1990, Green has been a priest at the Holy Family Church, Wigan.
Passing sentence, Judge Clement Goldstone told him: "You systematically and sexually abused these boys, who were vulnerable and impressionable, and they were groomed by you for the purposes of your own sexual gratification.
"You abused them in school, on school trips and on church-related activities, and you procured the trust and respect of families of several of your victims. You breached their trust and friendship remorsefully and repeatedly." Judge Goldstone added: "You showed no mercy to your victims while you abused them."
Alaric Bassano, prosecuting, said boarding pupils at St Bede's were particularly vulnerable, as they were separated from their families.
Pupils often spent time in Green's rooms where they were treated to food, sweets, tea, television, and in some cases cigarettes and alcohol.
One of the victims sought help from Green when he was being bullied by other boys. He was befriended by the priest and the bullying stopped, but he was sexually abused about 100 times.
Peter Turner, defending, said Green felt deep shame about his actions, and was 'a very broken and sick man'.
Read more on this story - College will 'continue to co-operate'
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Tezza, Tyldesley (02/10/2008 at 09:29)
But what is suing the school going to do to help towards this?
Why do people automatically think that getting some money is going to help them? Its psychological help they need not a wedge of cash.
This is yet another case of the compensation society we live in
paul scholes (02/10/2008 at 11:12)
Helen Morgan (02/10/2008 at 12:29)
We must all pray for the victims, their families and Father Green. We are all God's children and he wants us all to be saved.
A Victim (02/10/2008 at 13:50)
As a victim of these events my schooling suffered very badly, I ended up being suspended from school in the 5th year and as a consequence left school with no qualifications. This man robbed me of a decent education and as such this has severly limited my options when it comes to employment which in turn impacts on how much I have earned through out my working life.
Anne Wilson (02/10/2008 at 15:44)
Second Row Lump, Manchester (02/10/2008 at 17:59)
This monster deserves to dangle from the end of a rope!
If you are religious and you want to say a prayer for the victims, I applaud you. But him.............
Poor disillusioned followers who believe he can be forgiven in the eyes of your supreme being. What a dreadful set of believes and a serious lack of ‘morals’ when you want to seek forgiveness for this sub-human low life!
I went to a Catholic school, my parents withdrew me after I was beaten by a member of the clergy. He drew blood from me when I was 11 years old!
I bet you wouldn’t be praying for forgiveness for his soul if it was your child he sexually abused.
increasingly frustrated (02/10/2008 at 18:03)
All this could do is ruin a good independent grammar school, one that I am proud to have attended.
Mohalo (02/10/2008 at 21:29)
Second Row Lump, Manchester (03/10/2008 at 08:07)
In my last post, I named my school and it has been edited.
I must also issue an apology, I may have made remarks that were a wee bit too strong, the entire religion cant be held responsible. My loathing comes from personal experience, and I have no faith to forgive!
Marc (03/10/2008 at 10:08)
Another Pupil (03/10/2008 at 13:58)