Catholic priest Fr David Taylor admits abusing boys

Apr 3 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A CATHOLIC priest who admitted five counts of indecently assaulting young boys was warned yesterday he could face jail.

Fr David Taylor, 59, of Northumberland Avenue, Bedlington, Northumberland, was the youth co-ordinator for the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, stretching from Berwick in the north to the Tees in the south, when he committed the offences.

He appeared before Durham Crown Court yesterday to admit the offences on three males under 16, which all took place between 1982 and 1986.

It is understood some of the offences took place on pastoral visits to Holy Island in Northumberland run by Taylor. At the time Taylor was youth co-ordinator for the diocese, based at St Mary’s Church, Seaham, County Durham, where he served between 1981 and 1989.

Judge Peter Bowers granted Taylor unconditional bail to appear back before the court during the first week of May, but warned him "not to read anything into the granting of bail" before sentencing. Taylor’s last post was at St Peter’s Church in Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, from which he was suspended 14 months ago.