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  Paedophile Priest Faces Jail for Holy Island Abuse

Northumberland Gazette
April 3, 2009

http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/Paedophile-priest-faces-jail-for.5139304.jp

A CATHOLIC youth worker who abused three teenagers during visits to Holy Island has been told he faces a prison sentence.

Perverted Father David Taylor, 59, of Northumberland Avenue, Bedlington, Northumberland, admitted five charges of sexually abusing three boys under the age of 16 at Durham Crown Court yesterday.

Taylor was the youth co-ordinator for the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese at the time the offences took place, between 1982 and 1986.

Some of the vile attacks happened on Lindisfarne, where the priest organised pastoral visits for boys as part of his role.

He was suspended from his ministry at St Peter's Church in Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, when the allegations came to light last February.

Yesterday, Judge Peter Bowers granted Taylor unconditional bail but said that it should not be taken as an indication of the possible sentence he now faces.

Taylor was ordained in 1977 and was sent to St Anthony's, Walker, where he stayed until 1981.

His next appointment was at St Mary's in Seaham, and from 1989 to 1991 he was at St Joseph's, Sunderland.

He was then at St John's in Billingham, Teesside, before becoming parish priest at Low Fell in 2002.

A spokesman for the Diocese said it was 'tragic' that Taylor had abused his position of trust to harm vulnerable young people, and said the Catholic Church remained vigilant.

Taylor will appear back at Durham Crown Court for sentencing in May.

 
 

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