Priest convicted of child sex abuse

A disgraced retired priest has been convicted of sexual abusing three young boys and a trainee priest.

Father Francis Moore, 82, was told by judge Lady Rae that he had abused his position as a parish priest.

Moore who was also known as Father Paul, was found guilty after trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Some of the jurors were openly weeping as they delivered their verdicts.

Judge Lady Rae told the priest: “Mr Moore you have abused your position as a priest in the most horrible manner.

“You have been convicted of, particularly in relation to the young children, appalling abuse.”

The court heard that the allegations against Father Moore were first raised in 1996, but it was not until 2015 that a major police investigation was launched.

First offener Moore will be sentenced next month.