A MONK has been warned he is facing a prison sentence after admitting years of sexual abuse against boys.

Father Gregory Carroll, 66, pleaded guilty at York Crown Court to 14 sex charges against ten boys, committed when they were under 15 years old.

The offences took place between 1973 and 1987, when he worked at Junior House, Ampleforth College, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

After Carroll admitted the offences, the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, told him custody was inevitable, but adjourned the case for pre-sentence psychiatric and psychological reports.

Carroll pleaded guilty to 11 charges of indecent assault on boys and three of indecency against boys. Four of the charges - two of indecent assault and two of indecency - involved the same boy in 1979 and 1980. Seven charges of indecent assault involved boys whose identities are unknown.

James Goss, prosecuting, said these referred to confessions the monk made when seeing a doctor recently. He had said that he had assaulted between ten and 15 boys.

Carroll denied six more charges. Three of indecency and indecent assault against three of the boys were left on file, and the prosecution accepted not guilty pleas on the remaining three charges of indecent assault.

Carroll, who lives at the Benedictine Ampleforth Abbey, was released on bail until he returns to York Crown Court to be sentenced on September 23.