Thursday 22 September 2022 07:47 PM Buddhist monk, who sexually abused two girls after befriending their parents ... trends now
A Buddhist monk who sexually abused two girls in their homes after befriending their parents has been jailed for just two years.
Kojiu Takeuchi, who calls himself Buddha Maitreya, pleaded guilty at Hove Crown Court to three counts of sexually abusing the girls.
The offences came to light following media reports of a separate case, when Takeuchi, 82, was jailed in October 2020 for sexually abusing a girl from the age of three until she was nine in her Brighton home between 1975 and 1981.
He was initially given three years in prison and ordered to serve a further year on an extended licence for one of the offences. He was given the same sentence to be served consecutively, making it eight years in total, however, he appealed.
The disgraced monk was given a reduced sentence so that both jail terms could run consecutively, making him eligible to be considered for parole next month.
But yesterday the Japanese monk found himself back at Hove Crown Court where he was slapped with a two-year jail sentence from Judge Jeremy Gold.
Kojiu Takeuchi, who calls himself Buddha Maitreya, (pictured) pleaded guilty at Hove Crown Court to three counts of sexually abusing two 12-year-old girls throughout the 1970s and 1980s
Prosecutor Anthony Waller told the court that Takeuchi had won the trust of a Brighton couple in 1972 and 1973 before abusing their daughter, who is now in her sixties, at their home.
He later befriended a couple before abusing their daughter, who is now in her forties, in 1986 or 1987, the court heard.
Mr Waller said that the two complainants had never previously met and lived in different parts of the country.
The monk admitted that he indecently assaulted them.
Both of the victims, whose courage in reporting the abuse led to the latest charges against the perpetrator, attended court to read out their victim impact statements.
The disgraced monk was jailed for 14 months each for the two offences committed in Brighton, with the sentence to be served concurrently. He was jailed for 10 months for the later offence, to be served consecutively, making 24 months in total
One, from Brighton, spoke about carrying her burden alone.
She said: 'At the time, I had no one to talk to. In the 70s it was a closed subject, and I couldn't talk to my friends.
'It took me a long time to tell my mum but I'm not sure that I told her everything as I was too ashamed, too embarrassed and I just didn't have the words.
'If they knew anything, they didn't go to the police. And you went on to hurt other people.
'Since finding out about your first conviction, I now feel guilty that maybe we could have stopped it.
'My parents welcomed you into our home as a trusted guest. I was absolutely petrified knowing that you would be in my home. I dreaded the days that you were coming.'
The woman said her parent's home was 'a large house' which meant that it was 'easier' for Takeuchi to 'to be a predator - to hunt' to the girls.
She added: 'You had the trust of my parents to go anywhere. I would hide. I would watch where you would go. I felt I had to try to protect my younger sister.
'As you were a Buddhist monk, everyone revered you and would treat you with the utmost respect. I wanted to shout out and tell them who you really were and I couldn't.'
Takechui created Pure Land meditation centre and Japanese garden at his home in Newark, Northamptonshire. It remains a popular tourist attraction where children visit on school trips for religious education lessons
After seeing Takeuchi's picture in press coverage of his previous case, the woman found the courage to contact Sussex Police.
She told the court that she thought that they would 'brush it off as nothing but they took it seriously and now you are pleading guilty'.
The victim continued: 'Now I have the stress of coming forward, putting myself through all of this because of you – the stress of talking to the police, of coming to court.
'I have had to open up to my work managers to allow me tie off to attend court. This is something I won't get over.
'I wanted to see you today and I wanted to look you in the eye. I know what you did and I know what type of person you are.
'You used your robes, your status as a monk and your role and power to get what you wanted.
'I cannot forgive that you are claiming to be a Buddhist monk when you are against everything Buddhism stands for.
'People trusted you. I don't trust anyone with faith. I immediately think they are hiding something and hiding behind their robes.
'I am angry that you could take advantage of my body. I am angry that you sexually abused a child. How many other women have you attacked? How many other lives have you affected? Lives have been ruined because of you.'
Takeuchi was first jailed in October 2020 for sexually abusing a girl from the age of three until she was nine in her Brighton home between 1975 and 1981
Takeuchi later went on to teach in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, before opening the Pure Land meditation centre and Japanese garden at his home in Newark, Northamptonshire.
The site remains a popular tourist attraction drawing thousands of visitors every year, including coach loads of school children.
It was even featured in an episode of the TV series Britain's Best Back Gardens, presented by Alan Titchmarsh, in 2015.
It is not known whether other complainants might yet come forward in places
