Former priest sentenced for 15 further child sex offences

David Leslie Crowley (69) a former priest in West and North Yorkshire, was sentenced to a further eight-and-a-half years in prison at Leeds Crown Court on 19 June after pleading guilty to committing 15 sex offences against young boys.

The crimes took place between 1982 and 1993 when the defendant was a priest at St William’s RC Church in Bradford, Our Lady of Lourdes in Huddersfield and St Mary's and St Michael's RC Church in Settle. There were five victims.

Crowley is already serving a sentence of 18 years, extended by two years, for 13 similar offences committed between 1979 and 1985. The latest sentence will be served consecutively. In 1998 Crowley was given an 11-year sentence for 15 sex offences against young boys.

Crowley used his position of authority as a priest to groom the boys, taking them on day trips, plying them with gifts, alcohol and food, and visiting pubs.

Some of the victims came forward as a result of media coverage of Crowley's previous offending. The abuse he suffered caused one victim to experience flashbacks and to attempt suicide as an adult and left another with drug and alcohol dependence.

Graham Guest from the CPS said: "Crowley flagrantly abused his position of authority and trust within the communities he served to commit vile offences against young boys, leaving many of them with lifelong trauma.

“The true extent of his offending when he was in holy orders is now becoming clear. It is difficult to imagine a more appalling breach of trust and complete betrayal of the values of his priestly vocation.

“Our thoughts remain with his victims, as they have been throughout.”