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	Priest 'Used Dark Personality to Abuse Boys' This is South Devon July 17, 2007 http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=134822&command=display Content&sourceNode=237837&home=yes&more_nodeId1=134831&contentPK=17850619 A roman Catholic priest abused his position of power and trust to prey on pupils at a Devon school, a court heard. Exeter Crown Court heard yesterday how Paul Couch, 61, of Wyndham Street West, Plymouth, harboured a 'dark and secret sexual personality' which he allegedly used to sexually abuse young boys attending a Catholic school more than 30 years ago.It's alleged Couch committed a string of sexual offences against boys at the school between 1972 and 1993. The priest and former Royal Navy chaplain has pleaded not guilty to two serious sex charges and 15 of indecent assault. The court heard, at the opening of the trial, from one of the alleged victims who said an alleged incident involving Couch frightened him so much he ran and hid in a locker. During his opening, Ian Fenny, for the crown prosecution service, said: "One of the most difficult things for any Roman Catholic is to grapple with the notion that a man in Holy Orders can abuse children. "It shakes their faith to the core." He said Couch fitted the description given to 'assiduous and careful' sexual predators who infiltrate all areas of society. The court heard Couch taught English and Religious Studies at the school at the time the alleged allegations took place. The court also heard he was involved in extra-curricular activities such as running a sailing club. The allegations came to light when a former pupil confided in another priest years later and police then launched an investigation. It was then discovered a pupil had made a similar allegation at the time and the school investigated the matter but no action was taken. Mr Fenny told the court: "Police decided to investigate further and they contacted as many pupils as possible and sent them a questionnaire." Mr Fenny said the questionnaire highlighted a police investigation was underway and as a consequence of that questionnaire other allegations of sexual abuse emerged. Couch was arrested and interviewed by police but denied any suggestions of inappropriate behaviour although he admitted there had been physical contact with pupils but stressed it was 'horse play'. He told police during an interview it was 'tactile affection' but when challenged about it Couch said he was not suggesting former pupils were making it up but that it did not happen in the way it had been described by the pupils to police. Mr Fenny said: "This was not a case of this man (Couch) meeting equals. It was not a case of this man engaging with others of a similar age, similar experience and maturity and an ability to exercise choice." One of the alleged victims, who is now 32, and a married father of two, gave evidence in court. He alleged there was a time when he was in the school's games room, with Couch, when Couch put his hands down his school trousers. The man said it left him feeling very frightened and he ran from the games room to the locker room where he hid in a sports locker. Mr Fenny asked the man what was the next thing he remembered. He replied: "The sound of cutlery being laid up in the dining room. I decided to go up to the dining room and see who was laying out the cutlery. I would often have helped. "I got on well with some of the staff and wanted to talk to an adult. The adult laying the cutlery was someone I trusted." The court heard he spoke to the staff member who tried to calm him down and took him to another room. She then went to get the school matron who came to see him. The matron informed the headteacher and recorded, in her diary, details of what had happened. Defending counsel, Nicolas Gerasimidis, asked the man if he remembered 'playfully bumping heads' with Couch while in the games room. The man said he couldn't remember it and Mr Gerasimidis suggested Couch had interlocked his hand rather than placed them down the school boy's trousers. Mr Gerasimidis said, to the 32-year-old: "You may have interpreted this wrongly something that was entirely innocent." The 32-year-old said this was not the case. The trial continues.
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