Father David Taylor may have abused more boys

May 19 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A PRIEST jailed for abusing young boys could have more victims, church bosses admitted last night.

Father David Taylor indecently assaulted three boys – all described as the sons of “devout” catholic families at Durham Crown Court yesterday.

And a Catholic church spokesman last night admitted the former youth chaplain for the Roman Catholic Hexham and Newcastle Diocese might have abused more youngsters. Taylor, 59, of Northumberland Avenue, Bedlington, Northumberland, had earlier admitted five offences of indecent assault on three boys aged between 12 and 15, between 1982 and 1986.

At the time, he was responsible for encouraging youngsters in the catholic faith. He was based at a former convent, the Sisters of Mercy, in Antrim Gardens, Seaham, County Durham.

Mark Guilliani, prosecuting, said Taylor assaulted his first victim at the retreat in Seaham when he climbed into bed with him after the youngster stayed over. He later committed further offences against him in a tent and a camper van at Holy Island, Northumberland, and also climbed into a bath with him.

Taylor also got into bed with the second victim at the retreat in Seaham, before performing an act of indecency. He later told the shocked youngster he had been “sleepwalking.”

The priest later indecently assaulted him in the camper van on outings to Seahouses and Holy Island. Taylor picked out his third victim, who at 15 was slightly older than the first two, when he met him on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, in the south west of France.

He later took him to Holy Island, accompanied by a party of primary schoolchildren from Newcastle. Mr Guilliani said the youngster became uneasy when Taylor began speaking to him about sexual matters. The following day the teenager was showering when Taylor joined him in the shower and indecently assaulted him.