Deputy head of Catholic school charged with possession of indecent images

The deputy headmaster of a Roman Catholic school in west London has been charged with possessing extreme pornographic images of children.

Peter William Allott, 36, who is deputy headmaster of St Benedict’s School, in Ealing, was arrested on Monday by officers from the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency.

Mr Allott, who is a former Conservative councillor was charged with possessing, showing and making indecent images of children that were described as Category A - the most extreme categories described under UK law.

He had been remanded in police custody until his next hearing at Ealing Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday).

Mr Allott’s arrest and subsequent charge is not thought to be related to previous child sex-related scandals at the school.

Lord Carlile's report in 2011 published accusations that five monks and three lay teachers were responsible for systematic child abuse of a number of former pupils at the school between 1973 and 2010.

Meanwhile the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse in the UK has announced that the school, along with other schools connected to the Benedictine Order, will be among the first institutions to be investigated.