Abbot of Ampleforth who is most senior figure at Britain's leading Catholic public school is being investigated for 'sex offences against boys' 

  • Cuthbert Madden subject to probe over alleged offences from early 1990s
  • Abbot currently stepped down from duties will investigation is underway
  • Since 1996 three Ampleforth monks and teacher convicted of sex offences
  • Ampleforth, in Yorkshire, is biggest of 13 Benedictine Abbeys in England 

Cuthbert Madden, the Abbot of Ampleforth College,  has been accused of sex offences

The most senior figure at Britain's leading Catholic public school is being investigated over allegations of historical sexual abuse against pupils.

Cuthbert Madden, 61, the Abbot of Ampleforth College in Yorkshire, has stepped down from his duties while the probe gets underway.

The allegations are said to relate to alleged offences committed while he was a monk and a tutor at the school in the early 1990s.

Ampleforth is the biggest of England's 13 Benedictine Abbeys and former pupils at the College, which costs families £33,000-a-year, include Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, England Rugby Captain Lawrence Dallaglio and Hollywood star Rupert Everett.

However, despite its illustrious past  the school has been subject to scandal regarding claims of historical sex abuse.

Since 1996 there has been three monks and one lay teacher convicted of such assaults, regarding 30 pupils from the mid-1960s to the 1990s.

 In a letter to parents on the College''s website, parents were told that the Abbot 'denies any wrongdoing and will be cooperating fully whilst the allegations are investigated by the appropriate authorities.'

Father Cuthbert, a former surgeon, has previously come out and condemned the assaults from the school's past as 'fall from the high standards expected of a man committed to a life of service to God', reports the Times. 

Cuthbert Madden, 61, the Abbot of Ampleforth College (pictured) in Yorkshire, has stepped down from his duties while the probe gets underway

Cuthbert Madden, 61, the Abbot of Ampleforth College (pictured) in Yorkshire, has stepped down from his duties while the probe gets underway

Father Cuthbert, a former surgeon, has previously come out and condemned the assaults from the school's past as 'fall from the high standards expected of a man committed to a life of service to God' 

Father Cuthbert, a former surgeon, has previously come out and condemned the assaults from the school's past as 'fall from the high standards expected of a man committed to a life of service to God' 

While Ampleforth boasts successful alumni and renowned reputation, it has found itself thrust into the spotlight for the behaviour of its former staff members - rather than its pupils. 

An investigation and subsequent trial into allegations that Dr Paul Sheppard, 53, sexually abused a ten-year-old boy Ampleforth was said to be marred with problems.

The teacher, who taught at the school for one term while on a teacher training course from his native country, was accused of indecently assaulting the boy 27 years ago. 

Former pupils claim that, at the time, several schoolchildren complained of Dr Sheppard's behaviour including stroking, touching and kissing boys.

Pictured, Hollywood actor Rupert Everett
Pictured, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes

Hollywood actor Rupert Everett (left) and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes (right) are among former pupils of the £33,000-a-year Ampleforth College

Pictured, England Rugby Captain Lawrence Dallaglio
Pictured, Sculptor Sir Antony Gormley

England Rugby Captain Lawrence Dallaglio (left) and the sculptor Sir Antony Gormley (right) are also among former pupils

The school's headmaster, Father Dominic Milroy, interviewed 11 children over the teacher's alleged inappropriate conduct and Dr Sheppard subsequently left the school. 

Following his arrest, Dr Sheppard was then charged with seven counts of indecent assault against five students, but charges relating to all but one of the boys were thrown out by the judge at York Crown Court at the start of his trial last year. 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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