NW Evening Mail [United Kingdom]
April 28, 2007
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=493352
A 60-Year-Old priest from Dalton faces jail for sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Father Edmund Cotter, who is currently under suspension from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church, which is part of the Diocese of Lancaster, pleaded guilty to three charges of indecent assault when he appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
The offences involved a girl under 14 and took place between February 1981 and December 1984 when Cotter was based at St Gregory's RC Church in Preston.
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| Prison Threat: Dalton priest, Father Edmund Cotter, pleaded guilty to three charges of indecent assault on a girl under 14 |
Mrs Hilary Banks, prosecuting, said the offences Cotter had admitted were specimen charges and not three isolated occasions.
Mr Rick Holland, defending, said Cotter accepted wrong doing over the three-year period.
Cotter, of Ulverston Road, Dalton, who wore his dog collar during the hearing, was warned he faced a custodial sentence.
Judge Anthony Russell QC said: "It is sad to see you here today in this court in this position."
He said Cotter had admitted serious offences.
Judge Russell said: "The court will be considering a custodial sentence in this case, but this will only be considered when all matters have been put forward."
Cotter was granted conditional bail and will be sentenced on June 15.
In the meantime he is banned from unsupervised contact with children. He was also told to sign the sex offenders' register.
Patrick O'Donoghue, the Bishop of Lancaster, speaking from the Diocese headquarters, said: "Father Edmund Cotter appeared in court on Friday April 27, 2007, and pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
"The Diocesan Child Protection Commission has ensured that all guidelines and procedures were followed correctly and that all relevant agencies were informed.
"The commission has co-operated fully with the police throughout their investigations. We acknowledge that the consequences of Fr Cotter's actions have brought pain, not only to the victim and the victim's family, but also to many other people throughout the communities where Father Cotter has ministered.
"Child protection is a priority for the diocese and is given our fullest attention.
"Everything is being done to ensure the safety and proper care of all children in our schools and parishes. We await the court's verdict and necessary reports after which a further statement will be issued."
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