UK's 'paedo island' where monks set up abuse factory and harmed 54 kids 'in plain sight'

WARNING - DISTRESSING CONTENT: Caldey Island off the coast of Wales has been dubbed 'paedophile island' after a new report revealed how monks and laymen abused at least 54 children

There is a seemingly tranquil island less than a mile off the Pembrokeshire coast that has been nicknamed 'paedophile island' following decades of sickening abuse.

Caldey Island is owned by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, monks who made the island their home after it was sold to the Order in 1925. A report commissioned by Caldey Abbey and released on Tuesday revealed how, between 1960 and 1992, at least 54 children were abused by both monks and laymen. Some of the perpetrators had criminal records and were living on the island under fake names.

It is understood that most of the victims were visiting Caldey Island on family holidays or trips organised by youth groups and schools. A total of 16 survivors have provided testimonies to those compiling the damning 73-page report. Most of the report focuses on Father Thaddeus Kotik who abused several children from the late 1960s. He evaded justice up until 1992 when he died.

Kotik claimed to have fought with the Polish Free Army in the Second World War before moving to the island in 1947. Former assistant police and crime commissioner Jan Pickles OBE, who compiled the report, concluded that this backstory was in fact a hoax - Kotik was actually an 'Eastern worker' in a German camp in 1944. Pickles concluded Kotik fabricated his military credentials to gain British citizenship, which he obtained in 1959.

Serial sex offender Kotik used "complex strategies" to facilitate his abuse, the report said. He kept pets to attract the interest of young children and even won the trust of parents before offering to babysit. The report concluded he was able to groom children in "plain sight". One witness described him as "creepy" and "childlike", adding: "He was more a Michael Jackson type than Jimmy Savile."

The report also revealed how allegations of abuse were made multiple times down the years. These allegations were not followed up on or reported to police.

Several disturbing incidents occurred in the 21st century too. One example is that of Paul Ashton from West Sussex, who went on the run in 2004 after being charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Police tracked him to Caldey Island in 2011 after a resident recognised Ashton from a Crimestoppers 'Most Wanted' list. He was living under the name Robert Judd and was involved in the running of the Abbey and its Order. Shockingly, it later emerged he had used the Abbey's IT systems to download more indecent images of children.

The report was commissioned by Father Jan Rossey, the newly-appointed Abbot. "I give my sincere apologies," he said. I’m very sorry for all the suffering but also afterwards, for [victims] not being listened to. It’s heart-breaking to read those stories."

The report made 12 recommendations that he said would be implemented in full. He added that some of the recommendations, including safeguarding training and mandatory DBS checks for islanders, are already in place.