A former verger at Windsor Castle is facing prison after admitting a catalogue of historic sexual abuse of teenage boys.
Clive McCleester, 77, preyed on the two victims who were both aged 13 at the time the abuse began.
McCleester, who had served at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel and oversaw visitors to the Queen Mother’s tomb, was due to stand trial this week.
However he entered guilty pleas to a raft of charges on Monday, accepting he carried out multiple instances of abuse.
The first victim was abused between January 1968 and December 1970, while the second victim was targeted in 1986 and 1987 at a time when McCleester was working at Southwark Cathedral.
Judge Rosina Cottage KC freed McCleester on bail until a sentencing hearing at 2pm on July 10.
In a statement after the guilty pleas, a spokesperson for Southwark Cathedral said: “Clive McCleester, a former senior employee of Southwark Cathedral has pleaded guilty today on charges of safeguarding offences which took place in the 1980s.
“Mr McCleester’s crimes are a grievous breach of trust, which will have life-long effects.
“We would like to offer a full and unreserved apology to all those affected by this matter and we commend the bravery of those who brought this to light, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have been.
“We are profoundly sorry for the abuse perpetrated by Mr McCleester and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care.
“We have cooperated fully with the police in the course of their investigations. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority and we continually monitor our practice and processes to ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.
“The Cathedral’s Social Care Institute for Excellence audit undertaken in 2020 was positive about our safeguarding work – nevertheless, we recognise that there is always more to learn, more to be done to ensure the safety of all those with whom we have contact.”
McCleester was put on trial in 1993 over an allegation that he had indecently assaulted a 13-year-old boy in the 1980s. He was cleared by a jury after describing the claim as a “pack of lies”.
McCleester, a resident at the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Novel Poverty in Winchester, admitted seven charges of indecently assaulting a male under the age of 16, and three counts of indecency with a child.
He denied eight further counts of indecent assault and a charge of attempted buggery. Those allegations are set to be left to lie on file.
