Diana's brother Earl Spencer reveals shocking sexual abuse and beatings at £32k a year private school in new memoir

9 March 2024, 19:42 | Updated: 9 March 2024, 19:46

Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer has revealed details of sickening sexual abuse subjected to him by a school matron at the age of 11.
Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer has revealed details of sickening sexual abuse subjected to him by a school matron at the age of 11. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Chay Quinn

Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer has revealed details of sickening sexual abuse he was subjected to by a school matron at the age of 11.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

In an extract from his memoir published exclusively in The Mail on Sunday, Earl Spencer, 59, described shocking sexual abuse and physical assaults he suffered at Maidwell Hall when he was a young boy.

He wrote that he was a victim of a "voracious paedophile" assistant matron at the school - as well as naming John Porch, the "sadistic" headteacher at the school brutally beat him and other students and seemed to gain sexual pleasure from it.

Read More: King Charles snubs Diana's brother on Coronation guest list - as Earl Spencer will not attend

The five-year ordeal led to Earl Spencer making himself deliberately sick to avoid the institution - a precursor to his sister Princess Diana battling bulimia.

Maidwell Hall
In an extract from his memoir published exclusively in The Mail on Sunday, Earl Spencer, 59, described shocking sexual abuse and physical assaults he suffered at Maidwell Hall when he was a young boy. Picture: Getty

The twice-divorced Earl Spencer wrote in his memoir that the emotional damage of the abuse likely impacted the demise of his first two marriages.

Maidwell Hall is where Earl Spencer attended between the ages of eight and 13 - and is just ten miles from the Spencer family seat of Althorp House where Diana is buried.

After his abuse, Earl Spencer recounted how he wanted "full sex from a too-early age" and lost his virginity to a Italian prostitute aged just 12.

Other revelations in the bombshell book excerpt include:

  • The female paedophile matron emotionally manipulated him and that he self-harmed with a penknife when she seemed to be leaving the school.
  • Latin master Henry Maude beat Spencer with the spikes of a cricket boot and knocked out another boy.
  • Maude was visibly aroused after picking boys for naked swimming sessions.
  • Spencer regularly considered shooting himself in the foot with his father's shotguns when faced with returning to the school after holidays.
  • He received therapy in his early forties which helped him understand the damage Maidwell caused him.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Sara Sharif, 10, was found dead in a bunk bed at her home in Woking, Surrey

Neighbour of Sara Sharif had 'door slammed in face' by stepmother after 'constant screaming and crying'

U.S. President Joe Biden Meets With European Leaders In Berlin

Starmer says slavery reparations 'not on the agenda' ahead of Commonwealth summit

v

Disposable vapes to be banned across the UK by next summer to prevent addiction among children

Labour Party Conference 2024 - Day Two

Rachel Reeves promises first Budget will be economic 'reset' for UK

Knockout Chaos - Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou: Fight Night

Tyson Fury reveals wife Paris had miscarriage night before losing world heavyweight title in Usyk fight

A train still on the tracks the day after the crash

Passenger killed after trains collided in rural Wales named

Detectives investigating the deaths of three people at a care home in Swanage, Dorset, have made an arrest

Woman, 60, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three die at Dorset care home

Charge drivers per mile, says Tony Blair's think tank

Pay-per-mile car tax must be introduced in upcoming Budget, Tony Blair's think tank urges Rachel Reeves

Adam Richman New York Premiere of 'The Sitter' at Chelsea Clearview Cinema - Arrivals New York City, USA - 06.12.11

Man vs Food presenter Adam Richman offers reward after crew robbed in London while filming new TV show

BRITAIN-POLICE

Met officer sacked over offensive tweets about Jewish people, non-Muslims and 9/11

Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott have been asked to apologise after backing Chris Kaba

Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott face calls to apologise for backing Chris Kaba as Greenwich University deletes tribute

Geoff Capes' family announced the athlete's death at the age of 75

British shot put record holder and twice world's strongest man Geoff Capes dies aged 75

Three people have died and seven people have been taken to hospital

Carbon monoxide poisoning killed three people at Dorset care home, police believe - as seven more in hospital

CCTV images of Daniel Khalife shown in court

CCTV footage shows ex-soldier Daniel Khalife change clothes in McDonald's after 'prison escape'

Liam and Kate planned to marry within the year.

Liam Payne's girlfriend reveals they planned to get married next year in heartbreaking tribute

Emma Atkinson fell to her death from Shakespeare Towers in Leeds

'Miracle' baby fights for life after mother fell 90ft to her death from tower block window