Lancashire Evening Post
August 24, 2007
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Victim-to-sue-paedophile-priest.3144813.jp
United Kingdom — A victim of paedophile priest Edmund Cotter is to launch legal action against the Roman Catholic church.
One of the priest's 10 female victims has approached legal teams to bring the church to account over the scandal.
Victims are also furious at what they say is a lack of apology from the church.
A spokesman for Clifton Ingram solicitors in Wokingham, Berkshire, said the firm was hoping to contact other victims to make the action a joint one.
 |
| Sex assault priest Edmund Cotter |
Cotter, 60, was jailed for five years two months at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to 13 charges of indecent assault on 11 victims aged between seven and 11.
The offences took place when he was assistant priest at St Anthony's Church in Cadley
Causeway, Fulwood, and later St Gregory's Church on Blackpool Road in the city.
Among those welcoming the news today is former city councillor Marie Milne, 79, an ex-youth worker at St Anthony's youth club, where Cotter molested victims more than 30 years ago.
The mum-of-seven, who says she warned church bosses THREE times of her concerns about him, said: "I am really pleased. I think it is about time the church was held to account for what happened."
One victim, who was 10 when abused, described him as " a violent bully who hid behind a facade of charisma and charm".
Another posted a comment on the Internet which said: "The church were informed of his abnormal interest in children years ago and it appears nothing was done.
"Maybe I would not be a victim today if the church listened."
No-one from the Catholic Church was available for comment.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.