Catholic priest found guilty of historic sexual abuse against child in Jersey

Jersey's Royal Court has found a former Catholic priest (pictured left) guilty of three counts of committing an act of gross indecency on multiple occasions.

Jersey's Royal Court has found a former Catholic priest guilty on three counts of gross indecency with a child.

Piotr Antoni Glas, 61, committed his crimes on multiple occasions against a teenage boy between 2004 and 2007.

There were cries from the public dock when the guilty verdict was read out, after an 8 day trial.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Caroline Foord, said: "This case highlights the serious nature of an abuse of authority and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or standing in the community or when the offences were committed.

"Glas used his position, as an influential member of the Catholic Clergy, to groom his victim and others who trusted him. His offending behaviours were both manipulative and controlling in nature.

"The victim has shown a tremendous amount of courage to report this abuse, not only to seek justice to what had happened to them in the past, but also to safeguard others in the future."

The court had heard how Piotr carried out 'exorcisms' on his victim and would 'playfight' with the complainant before committing sexually motivated acts.

The defendant was also described as having had a sexual interest involving feet - a 'foot fetish' that police say goes back many years.

In the dock during the trial, Glas would often have his eyes closed - sometimes looking up to the ceiling and rocking back and forth, holding prayer beads in his right hand.

He will be sentenced on Friday 11 April and will be remanded in custody until that date.