A PERVERTED priest who admitted sexually abusing schoolboys in his care for a period of 36 years has been warned to expect jail.

Father David Pearce, of Ealing Abbey, in Charlbury Grove, Ealing, had originally denied the allegations made by five pupils at St Benedict's School, Ealing, where he had been headmaster.

The assaults involved caning and intimate touching. But the 67-year-old, who had been dubbed Gay Dave by pupils in the school, changed his plea to guilty at the last moment as the trial at Isleworth Crown Court was about to go ahead.

Father Pearce, who retired from his role as head of the school 15 years ago, admitted 10 indecent assaults against four boys under 16 and sexually assaulting a fifth. Restrictions had been placed on him by superiors.

Judge Andrew McDowall, at Isleworth Crown Court, told Pearce to expect a substantial sentence and added: "You should have acknowledged your guilt sooner."

He will return to the court to be sentenced in October.

Outside the court, one victim blamed the church, saying: "They knew what he was up to. Devil in a dog collar sums him up."

Pearce started his abuse at the school in 1972, but it ended last January when he was arrested at his home, after claims had been lodged by a pupil.

Westminster RC diocese said: "Ealing Abbey is deeply saddened by the case."

Ealing Abbey founded the school in 1902 and monks act as trustees. The school admits pupils aged four to 18 and has a mixed sixth form.

Famous alumni include the former governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten and the comedian Julian Clary.

Paramedic sent 'crude texts' - page 2

A PARAMEDIC instructor who sent 'crude' texts to a pupil after she came to him crying about the breakdown of her relationship was this week found guilty of sexual harassment.

James McCrea bombarded the student paramedic with messages as part of the culture of 'black humour' that existed in the London Ambulance Service, the Health Professions Council heard.

The council was told on Monday how McCrea, 53, of Westfield Road, West Ealing, sexually harassed the student over three months between May and July 2006, while training new recruits from Imperial College and West Middlesex University Hospital.

He also admitted putting his arm around the woman when she came crying to him after a tutorial.

Vicky Lord, for the council, said: "This was not a single error in an exemplary practice. There was a large volume of text messages being sent, some of which were of a sexual nature."

McCrea, who joined the ambulance service in 1994 and is now clinical skills director at West Middlesex University Hospital, now faces being struck off the medical register.

He told the council he accepted his behaviour had been 'reckless', but claimed he had simply been 'entering into the spirit' of the black humour typical in the profession.

Anthony Metzer, defending, said: "The paramedic accepts both by his admission and his apology that his conduct, which is normally exemplary, fell below that standard."

There was 'absolutely no intention on his part' to sexually harass the trainee at any stage, said Mr Metzer.

McCrea claimed he put his arm around the student purely to comfort her when she revealed she had broken up with her boyfriend.

The council's chairman, Colin Allies, said: "In light of Mr McCrea's admissions and written statement contained in evidence provided, the panel was satisfied that the facts alleged were proved.

"The panel was satisfied that his actions amounted to misconduct."