Perverted Wigan priest jailed for abusing altar boys

Francis Simpson, of Knightscliffe Crescent in Shevington, abused four boys while serving as a clergyman at the Parish of St Jude’s in Wigan between 1980 and 1982.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court, where the 71-year-old was tried at the end of last year, heard how the predator sexually abused youngsters aged between seven and 15 years old.

The abuse included touching the boys over their clothes.

Following the eight-day trial, which concluded on December 7 and resulted in two days of deliberation, the disgraced priest was convicted of nine charges of indecently assaulting the boys.

During the hearing, the court was told how Simpson committed the offences in the victim’s family home, on day trips to Jodrell Bank, Southport, Blackpool, Alton Towers, Peak District, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Liverpool and also whilst reading to them at lessons at the church.

During his sentencing at Bolton Crown Court, Judge Graeme Smith jailed Simpson for two years and two months.

He also have to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years and has been banned from working with children.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Simpson used his position as a trusted member of the church community to cynically and disgracefully abuse four young altar boys in his care.

“He has escaped justice for decades, but we hope that this sentence today will provide some solace to his victims and send a message to other survivors of sexual abuse that it is never too late to seek justice.”

Records from 2017 show Simpson was on “administrative leave” from St Chad’s in Chorley, where he was appointed in 2016. Prior to this, he had been a parish priest in Litherland, Merseyside.

Following his conviction back in December, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool said: “The Archdiocese acknowledges the verdict and expresses profound sorrow for the terrible crimes committed by him.”