Catholic priest jailed for child sex abuse

A Catholic priest in Britain has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually abusing young boys.

Alexander Bede Walsh was convicted of 21 sexual offences over a period of 18 years, Sky News reported.

The offences took place between 1975 and 1993, during which Walsh worked at an orphanage in Coleshill, Warwickshire, at a Catholic boarding school in Staffordshire, and at All Souls Church in Coventry.

Walsh told the jury that part of his duties was to visit families and take children swimming.He, however, claimed that the victims were lying and were motivated by compensation.The crimes came to light when two victims separately contacted police in 2006. Further complainants came forward between 2008 and 2011.

"I feel very let down because I have lost that trust of the Catholic church and him... you are supposed to look up to people in authority," said a victim named Michael Clifford, who waived his right to anonymity.

Bernard Longley, the archbishop of Birmingham, thanked the victims for their courage in bringing Walsh to justice.

"These are horrendous crimes, and I first want to express my deep sense of shame at what has taken place," he said.

Walsh resigned from the priesthood after he was convicted of downloading indecent images of children eight years ago.