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Former Priest Jailed for 'Devastating' Sex Attacks on Boys
Cassidy was convicted of indecent assault and lewd practices against two boys, with one victim now deceased, court records show.
- On Wednesday, Vincent Cassidy, 84, was sentenced to nine years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow after conviction of historic indecent sexual assaults on two children in the 1970s. Judge Sheena Fraser said the offences would nowadays be considered rape.
- Cassidy evaded accountability for nearly five decades after fleeing to Australia in the late 1970s, with allegations only emerging in 2018 when the Diocese of Paisley was made aware and referred the matter to police. The first victim died in 2020 after speaking to authorities.
- Between January 1974 and July 1977, Cassidy systematically abused two boys aged 16 and eight to 12 at churches in Paisley and Greenock, a primary school, a swimming pool, a beach, and a caravan. Judge Fraser stated the abuse had a devastating impact on the victims.
- Judge Fraser detailed Cassidy's grooming behaviour, including trips to gain the second victim's family trust and abuse during school confession. Detective Inspector Chris Driscoll said the victims' strength prevented his crimes from going unpunished.
- Cassidy was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, while Bishop John Keenan expressed deep sorrow and acknowledged the Catholic Church's improved safeguarding since his offending. His defence counsel maintains his innocence despite the jury's unanimous verdict.
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15 Articles
Evening Standard+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Ex-priest jailed over ‘devastating’ abuse of young parishioners in 1970s
Vincent Cassidy, 84, abused two young boys, even abusing one while hearing his confession.
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 38%
C 62%
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