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Green arriving at court for one of his earlier appearances
Pervert priest admits guilt
22/ 8/2008
A PRIEST who sexually abused boys as a school teacher has finally been brought to justice after 40 years.
Father William Green, 67, pleaded guilty to 27 assaults on children aged between eight and 16.
The earliest crime he admitted to was an indecent assault on a 8-year-old boy at St Margaret Mary's Primary School in New Moston in the late 1960s.
He also pleaded guilty to a string of sexual abuse cases at St Bedes College, in Alexandra Park, during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Police launched an investigation after they were contacted by one of Green's victims.
Green, of Aspull, near Wigan, was charged with 33 counts of indecent assault against nine boys under 16.
He pleaded guilty at Manchester crown court to 27 of the charges relating to seven victims.
The remaining six charges were ordered to lie on the file. He is to be sentenced on September 30.
Richard Scorer, of Manchester law firm Pannone, is preparing to take civil action against the Catholic Church on behalf of the victims.
He said: "The judge indicated that there was an overwhelming likelihood Green will face an immediate and significant sentence of imprisonment when he is sentenced.
"This can only be right and proper, given the dreadful abuse he subjected a succession of young boys to.
"People who are victims of sexual abuse as a child rarely get over it.
"It is highly probable that there are a number of men still living in Manchester who are either too frightened or ashamed to come forward.
"I would urge them to either contact the police or speak to me in confidence in order to bring closure to their ordeal."
A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Greater Manchester said: "We have co-operated with the authorities since the beginning of the investigation.
"It is regrettable when something like this happens. Our priority and concern is always for the victims."
He said the case was a historical one and that safeguards had been put in place in recent years to prevent something similar happening again.
Police have set up a dedicated phone line for victims on 0161 856 6051. To contact Richard Scorer call 0161 909 6408.
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