A former British army chaplain and Church of Ireland rector has been jailed for 5½ years for sexually assaulting a schoolboy. Some offences took place after the boy had taken an overdose, Trim Circuit Court heard yesterday.
Glen Rosco Milne (42), formerly of The Rectory, Granard Road, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, took the stand and apologised to the boy, his family and all those affected by his actions.
Milne was remanded in custody at an earlier court sitting when he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on a date between June 1st-30th, 2002 and to one count of gross indecency on November 4th, 2003.
After the first offence the boy had taken an overdose and four months later Milne had again assaulted him.
Judge Raymond Groarke said Milne, who has lived in Ireland for the past 10 years, had been "repetitive, persistent and on each occasion he performed vile acts". This happened when he was in a position of authority and trust.
When gardaí were alerted Milne had resigned from his position and had given gardaí a detailed account of his conduct. He also pleaded to the offences saving the victim from a trial.
But the court heard that as a result of the abuse the boy's academic levels had dropped, he did not trust anyone and his mother had concerns about how he would deal with life.
The judge said he had wanted to impose a post-release supervision order on Milne but as the accused intended to return to England on his release from prison such an order would be worthless.
Mr Rupert Mayo, a barrister from the UK who said he had known Milne from childhood, was a witness for the defence and said he and his family were supporting Milne.
A report from a clinical psychologist said Milne remained "a risk of abusing adolescent boys."
Judge Groarke imposed sentences of four years for the sexual assault and 18 months for the gross indecency charge and ordered that they run consecutively.
But he suspended the final three years and commented that he did so in the hope that Milne had given his word, for whatever it was worth, that he would seek treatment.
He also requested the prison authorities to provide whatever treatment was available and that the reports on Milne be given to them. He has also been placed on the sex offenders' register.
After sentencing, the boy's mother praised the Garda for the support and assistance given to the family.