Former school chaplain sentenced for historic child sexual abuse
A former priest and school chaplain has been given a two-year community order after admitting the sexual abuse of two boys more than 40 years ago.
Edward Phillips-Smith, 76, admitted offences committed while he was a priest and chaplain at St Peter’s Collegiate School in Wolverhampton between the late 1970s and early 1980s. The abuse included indecent assaults and encouraging the children to take part in sexual acts.
One survivor told the court he continued to suffer with anxiety, paranoia, sleepless nights and the lasting effects of trauma decades later. Another described how seeing news coverage of the case brought back overwhelming memories, saying the abuse had “been eating away at my mind for over 40 years”.
Although Phillips-Smith had already been jailed in 2024 for abusing other schoolboys, these additional victims only came forward after seeing media coverage of his conviction. Their bravery in speaking out led to further admissions and convictions, demonstrating the important role that survivors can play in bringing offenders to justice.
Historic abuse claims can still be brought decades later
Cases like this also show that it is never too late to come forward. Even if many years have passed since the abuse took place, reporting what happened can help hold perpetrators accountable and may encourage other survivors to speak out as well.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are committed to supporting survivors of abuse with sensitivity, compassion and without judgment. We understand how difficult it can be to come forward, whether the abuse happened recently or many years ago, but you do not have to face it alone.
If you experienced abuse by Edward Phillips-Smith or anyone else connected to a school, church or other organisation, you may still be able to pursue a civil compensation claim. If you would like to explore your legal options in a safe and confidential environment, our specialist abuse team is here to listen, answer your questions and help you understand your options.
