AN EX-BUDDHIST monk who molested two girls in their homes after befriending their parents has been jailed.

Koji Takeuchi, formerly Buddha Maitreya, has been convicted of further historic sexual offences committed against a girl in Brighton and a girl in Nottinghamshire.

The 82-year-old, was previously jailed in 2020 and was serving a four-year sentence for sexually abusing a young girl in Brighton in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Following that conviction, the two victims came forward separately to Sussex Police to report their own experiences.

On Wednesday, September 21, Takeuchi appeared before Hove Crown Court where he admitted the sexual offences committed against them.

Takeuchi admitted two charges of indecent assault against a 12-year-old girl in Brighton during the 1970s.

He also admitted indecent assault upon a then 12-year-old girl in Nottinghamshire in the 1980s.

His Honour Judge Jeremy Gold QC said Takeuchi had abused a position of trust in order to carry out the offences.

Detective Constable Stewart Cameron from Sussex Police’s safeguarding investigation unit in Brighton led the new investigation.

He said: “Takeuchi travelled around the country teaching meditation. He also owned a set of Japanese gardens in Nottinghamshire which regularly featured on television programmes and was visited by thousands of people each year.

“But he used these to hide the sexual abuse he carried out on young girls. He ingratiated himself with their families in order to gain their trust to carry out the crimes.”

The judge sentenced Takeuchi to a further two years in prison for the subsequent victims. 

Takeuchi, formerly of Trent Lane, North Clifton near Newark, Nottinghamshire, will remain on the sex offenders register for life, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order will continue to be in place to restrict his access to children upon his release.

DC Cameron added: “Takeuchi had a devastating impact on the lives of his young victims. After his first conviction, they showed courage to come forward and report the abuse that happened to them.

“This investigation demonstrates that we will always follow up reports made by victims, regardless of how long ago the events are said to have occurred, to support them and to seek justice for them wherever possible.”

Further information and support about reporting historic sexual abuse is available online.