BishopAccountability.org
	Labourer Guilty of Blackmailing Priest By Robin Turner Wales Online November 19, 2010 http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/11/19/labourer-guilty-of-blackmailing-priest-91466-27681028/ AN IRISH labourer has been found guilty today of blackmailing a Llanelli priest after pretending to have found indecent images on the cleric’s mobile phone. At Swansea Crown Court Cork born Michael Joseph Costello, 38, of Reading, had denied stealing Father Michael Manning’s Blackberry and pressurising him for money. But today a jury took just 45 minutes to find Costello guilty of blackmail and theft. During the week long trial Father Manning vehemently denied there were anything other than innocent photographs on his phone. He also strongly denied a claim made by Costello from the witness box that he had been “cuddling” on a sofa with another male cleric. Formerly based at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Llanelli, Father Michael is now based in Kent. Costello, who also faces burglary charges, will be sentenced later today by Judge Huw Davies QC
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.