Child Abuse Victim Tells James O'Brien How He Caught His Tormentor

10 August 2018, 14:23

Michael in Harrow felt compelled to ring James O'Brien and share his story of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his old priest, before going on to describe how, 20 years on, he caught his tormentor.

After James O'Brien responded to the report that his old school, Ampleforth, covered up "appalling" abuse of pupils, the phone lines lit up with people wanting to share their experiences of child abuse.

And Michael in Harrow rang James to share the extraordinary story of how he caught his abuser.

Michael started by describing the abuse he suffered at the hands of his old priest: "I was molested by a Catholic Priest...when I was 13, 14. I didn't really understand it... It happened to myself and my brother and we kind of froze a bit. We couldn't talk about it and so we left it."

He then told James how he moved to London to train as a social worker but discovered that his abuser also lived in the city and was now receiving psychotherapy.

"I arranged to meet him... I said I'm going to pop in and see you for coffee. I had a mini tape recorder in my pocket, I confronted him and he spilled like a baby. You would have thought he was the victim.

"I sat on the tape for a few years and then in the mid-90s... I contacted the Metropolitan Police... and they arrested him. He was a prolific paedophile, it went to court 20 years ago and he was convicted, repatriated to Ireland where he faced numerous other court cases."

Stunned at the honesty of the call, James said: "What an amazing story. What an amazing story. And one with, for want of a better word, a happy end - it's a story with justice."

Listen to the extraordinary call in full above.

LBC caller warns that graduates risk becoming 'economic slaves'

LBC caller warns that graduates risk becoming 'economic slaves'

Fishing Industry Consultant debunks 'complete lies' about water pollution

Fishing industry consultant tells James O'Brien we were 'lied to' about water pollution

James O'Brien callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien's callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien is joined by Sadiq Khan to take your calls

Speak to Sadiq: Mayor of London joins James O'Brien to take your calls

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Vance saw Francis... we might be onto something'

LBC caller jokes that JD Vance's visit to the late pope might've paved the way for an American pope

"Things have to get a little bit dirty"

Caller Alexander thinks that "things have to get dirty" to stop Reform

'They've alienated every single subsection of society'

Caller Phil ruthlessly describes a Labour Party that 'doesn't appeal to anyone'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien and listeners with her analysis of the 'new world order'

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her analysis of the 'new world order'

Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

LBC callers: Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC callers give their reaction to findings that 20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel betrayed by America

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel 'betrayed' by America