Catholic Priest on Trial for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Teenagers

A Catholic priest, Michael James Callaghan, has gone on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys during his time as a teacher and housemaster at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. One of the alleged victims claims Callaghan made him feel "special" by giving him gifts and taking him on trips, and repeatedly indecently assaulted him over three years in the 1990s.

Key Takeaways:

• Michael James Callaghan, a 71-year-old Catholic priest, is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing two teenage boys while he was a teacher and housemaster at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire.
• The first complainant alleges Callaghan repeatedly indecently assaulted him over three years in the 1990s, after making him feel "special" by giving him gifts and taking him on trips.
• Callaghan admitted to having "some sexual activity" with the first complainant, but claimed it was only after he was 16 and with his consent, which prosecutors argued was not true consent.
• The second complainant described Callaghan as "a cool monk who was popular" and alleges Callaghan sexually assaulted him by grabbing his bottom after giving him a hug.
• Callaghan denies the charges and the trial continues.
• The alleged abuse is said to have taken place in the 1990s and in 2013, with Callaghan admitting to having sex with one of the complainants after he was 16.

Statistics:

• 12 counts of indecently assaulting one boy under the age of 16.
• 4 alleged incidents of indecent assault occurring when the boy was under 16.
• 1 alleged incident of indecent assault occurring when the boy was over 16.
• 1 alleged incident of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy in 2013.

Sources:

• [Prosecutor Mark McKone KC at Teesside Crown Court](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-63180419)
• [Ampleforth College](https://www.ampleforth.ac.uk)
• [Michael James Callaghan's trial](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-63180419)