Priest jailed for sexual offences against young boy

A priest has been jailed for five years after committing a string of sexual offences against a young boy.

Father Peter Hooper, 55, from St Luke's Church in Bebington, Wirral, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to 10 counts of engaging in sexual activity with the teenager when he was aged 14 and 15 and inciting him to engage in such activity.

He was appointed priest at St Luke's in 2006.

Following sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury, said: "I wish to express today both the sorrow and the horror felt within the Catholic community at these offences and the betrayal of trust involved.

"There can be no place in the priesthood for those who harm the young."