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Priest jailed over boy sex abuse | Priest jailed over boy sex abuse |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A former Catholic parish priest has been jailed for 16 years for a string of sex attacks on two young brothers. | A former Catholic parish priest has been jailed for 16 years for a string of sex attacks on two young brothers. |
Retired Father Dermot Keaveney, from Hindhead, Surrey, was convicted of 15 offences against the boys in a trial last month at Lewes Crown Court. | |
Keaveney, 72, was serving at churches in Brighton and Hove when the offences happened between 1975 and 1982. | Keaveney, 72, was serving at churches in Brighton and Hove when the offences happened between 1975 and 1982. |
Judge Paul Tain said the "quite appalling breach of trust" had profound lifelong effects on his victims. | Judge Paul Tain said the "quite appalling breach of trust" had profound lifelong effects on his victims. |
'Church and family betrayed' | 'Church and family betrayed' |
He said that one victim had not married or had children, and had also been to prison, as he struggled to cope psychologically with having been abused as a child. | He said that one victim had not married or had children, and had also been to prison, as he struggled to cope psychologically with having been abused as a child. |
And the judge said Keaveney had betrayed the family, the church and the wider Catholic community. | And the judge said Keaveney had betrayed the family, the church and the wider Catholic community. |
He had also given no thought to the emotional and physical damage of his actions. | He had also given no thought to the emotional and physical damage of his actions. |
Judge Tain said he hoped the sentence would show the community and victims the courts were "prepared to put in place a protective message". | Judge Tain said he hoped the sentence would show the community and victims the courts were "prepared to put in place a protective message". |
I am appalled and saddened Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton | I am appalled and saddened Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton |
The boys were aged between 11 and 15 at the time, the jury heard. | The boys were aged between 11 and 15 at the time, the jury heard. |
Keaveney, of Beacon Hill, targeted them by taking advantage of their deeply religious family who had placed their faith in him, the court was told. | Keaveney, of Beacon Hill, targeted them by taking advantage of their deeply religious family who had placed their faith in him, the court was told. |
Jurors heard he gave the boys treats, and took them on day trips and holidays, before sexually abusing them. He asked them not to tell anyone. | Jurors heard he gave the boys treats, and took them on day trips and holidays, before sexually abusing them. He asked them not to tell anyone. |
Keaveney had denied the allegations, insisting he had given support to the boys and their family. | Keaveney had denied the allegations, insisting he had given support to the boys and their family. |
He was banned from serving in any educational role with children. | He was banned from serving in any educational role with children. |
'Shocking and horrific' | 'Shocking and horrific' |
After the hearing, Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, said: "I am appalled and saddened that a man who people entrusted to his care did not live up to the high standard we expect of a priest. | After the hearing, Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, said: "I am appalled and saddened that a man who people entrusted to his care did not live up to the high standard we expect of a priest. |
"I apologise most sincerely to the victims and to everyone else who has been affected by this shocking and horrific case." | "I apologise most sincerely to the victims and to everyone else who has been affected by this shocking and horrific case." |
He added that the Catholic church now had a "strict child protection policy" under which victims were encouraged to come forward. | He added that the Catholic church now had a "strict child protection policy" under which victims were encouraged to come forward. |
And he said the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton had "co-operated fully" with the police investigation, and Keaveney, already retired, was suspended from "any form of ministry" as soon as matters came to light. | And he said the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton had "co-operated fully" with the police investigation, and Keaveney, already retired, was suspended from "any form of ministry" as soon as matters came to light. |
Det Con Darren Grimes said: "Our determination to bring this case to justice, despite the passage of time, is reflected in today's sentencing. | |
"We hope that now the brothers and their immediate families can start to rebuild their lives." |
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