UNITED KINGDOM
Derby Telegraph
By Martin Naylor
VICTIMS of former Derby priest Francis Paul Cullen – due to be sentenced today for child sex offences – have been making their voices heard in court.
The 85-year-old, who was parish priest at Christ the King, in Mackworth, from 1960 to 1978, has pleaded guilty to 21 sexual abuse offences in February.
Four of his victims were altar boys during his time in Derby and he will be sentenced at Derby Crown Court today.
Sarah Knight, prosecuting, has this morning spent more than an hour outlining the case.
After the full details of what Cullen did to his seven victims was given out out in court, Miss Knight read “victim impact statements” from each of them.
One of his Mackworth victims, a man who is now 61, said in his statement: “I can forgive but I can never forget.”
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