Priest jailed for 22 years for horrific child sex offences

A priest has been convicted of abusing children across four decades as detectives urge other victims to come forward.

Eugene Fitzpatrick, 68, of Raymond Avenue, Canterbury, was jailed for 22 years after a jury convicted him of seven counts of indecent assault, four of indecency with a child, and two of buggery

All of the sex attacks took place in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

The indecent assault and indecency offences were committed against one victim in the Islington area, while a second child was victim to buggery offences at Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Church in Hackney.

Fitzpatrick was convicted at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday and sentenced the following day.

DC Lorraine Simpson and DC Klementina Balint, the investigating officers, said: “Eugene Fitzpatrick is a predatory sex offender who abused his position of trust, preying on vulnerable youngsters and subjecting them to horrific sexual abuse over a period of years.

“In addition to the two known victims in this case, I believe that there may be additional survivors of Fitzpatrick’s actions who continue to suffer in silence. I urge anyone who has been abused by Eugene Fitzpatrick to contact police without delay.”

Anyone who thinks they are a victim of Fitzpatrick should call police on 101.

Former priest Eugene Fitzpatrick abused children across four decades