Priest jailed for sex assault on teen
71-YEAR-OLD GROOMED ‘VULNERABLE’ GIRL 30 YEARS AGO
A FORMER Catholic priest has been jailed for grooming a teenage girl before subjecting her to a campaign of indecent assault.
Vincent Whelan, 71, used his position at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Wythenshawe to sexually exploit the girl, who was under 16, in the 1980s.
The parish priest, who now lives in Wirral, Merseyside, was aged 41 when he began grooming the ‘vulnerable’ teenager after befriending her family.
He plied the girl with alcohol and complimented her on her appearance in order to gain her trust, before sexually abusing her.
Whelan has now been jailed for nine months following a Manchester Crown Court trial.
A jury found him guilty of three counts of indecent assault.
The court heard Whelan began ‘subtly’ grooming the teenager before his actions became more sinister.
On one occasion, he ‘ambushed’ the girl and forced himself upon her, before kissing her on the lips.
The victim, who previously gave evidence to the court, said Whelan’s inappropriate behaviour continued on a regular basis for a year.
The court heard he convinced his victim not to tell anyone about the abuse by claiming he would lose his job if people found out.
Whelan’s actions were only bought to light three decades later when the victim reported him to police in 2017.
Judge Patrick Field QC condemned his behaviour as an ‘unacceptable abuse of trust.’
He said: “These offences were committed against a [teenage] victim. A child.
“Whilst a parish priest, you ambushed her and forced yourself upon her, kissing her on the mouth.
“She recalled your teeth clattering with hers and the horror she experienced at the time. I have no doubt this was a shocking experience for a young child and this will have been seated upon her memory.
“Given your position of trust as parish priest, your actions towards her was an unacceptable abuse of that trust.
“It was your good character that enabled you into the complainant’s life and allowed you to abuse her.
“I conclude that your actions can only be justified by an immediate deprivation of your liberty.”
Defence barrister Trevor Parry-Jones told the court Whelan had fallen ‘deeply’ in love with the teenager.
He added: “How was it that this man fell from such a high position? His evidence is that he fell in love with this girl.
“He was a very silly man and allowed his emotions to get the better of him.
“Despite the conviction, there are people who are still prepared to speak highly of the work this defendant has done.”
Whelan, of Overchurch Road, Wirral, will serve half his sentence in custody before being considered for parol.
Following sentence, CPS barrister Justin Hayhoe said: “Vincent Whelan, who was a man held in high regard within the church and local community, as a priest and school governor, used his position to exploit and sexually abuse a vulnerable young girl. “He was well aware of her age when he subtly groomed her over a period of time, making himself an integral part of her life, before his seemingly innocent actions became more sinister.
“He convinced her not to tell anyone about the abuse by saying he would lose his job if people found out. “I would like to pay tribute to the victim for her immense courage in standing up to her abuser and testifying against him face-to-face at court, which has resulted in him being brought to justice for his deplorable actions three decades before.”
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Shrewsbury said: “The offences committed by Vincent Whelan while serving as a priest of the Diocese during the 1980s are a source of deep sadness and regret.
“The Diocese would like to assure the victim of our prayers and also express its total commitment to ensuring the safety of all children and vulnerable adults in its parishes, schools and institutions.”
Whelan will be subject to the sex offender’s notification requirement for 10 years and is prohibited by a restraining order from contacting his victim.
Whilst a parish priest, you ambushed her and forced yourself upon her Judge Patrick Field QC