A CATHOLIC priest was last night facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of a series of sex crimes against a young boy at a North-East church.

Father William Jacks, 49, admitted having a relationship with the boy, but claimed that nothing sexual happened between them until the youngster was 16.

But after a five-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, the jury found that the priest, who lived in Darlington, had started to abuse the boy when he was only 12 years old.

He was found guilty of three charges of indecent assault on a male and one of gross indecency with a child. He was cleared of a further charge of indecent assault.

The court was told how, after luring the boy into sordid sex games at his church in Gateshead, Tyneside, the priest systematically abused him over many years.

This took place in the Presbytery after Mass on Sunday, in the lavatory at the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle's house, and at Jacks' parents' home in Darlington.

The victim, now aged 26, told the court how he had been prompted to come forward after seeing a photograph featuring Jacks surrounded by young children.

He said: "I was frightened by the photograph . . . it had to stop."

Prosecutor Christopher Prince told the court how Jacks had invited the boy to squash court facilities provided by the church.

After the game they went into the changing room and the priest made the young boy spank him.

Jacks, who was secretary to the then Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle - the Right Reverend Alex Lindsay - took him to the Bishop's home in Newcastle, where they had sex in the lavatory.

Jacks told the court that sexual activity had taken place on four occasions before it came to an end.

Judge David Hodgson, who described the case as sad, said: "Offences of this nature in these circumstances are a very substantial and clear breach of trust. There has to be a custodial sentence."

Jacks, who was arrested at his church in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, was to have faced a further trial for alleged sex offences.

But the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not be in the public interest to pursue the case after the outcome of yesterday's hearing.

Mr Prince told the court: "They do not concern young people. They have been dealt with in the diocese on a disciplinary basis.

"They do not concern the same complainant."

Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Ambrose Griffiths said last night: "I am deeply sorry that a priest has inflicted harm on young people - it should never happen.

"The church strives to be a safe community where people can expect to be cared for and protected. We are prepared to help anyone who has been harmed by William Jacks.

"A priest holds a position of great deal of trust. Misuse of that trust in order to abuse young or vulnerable people is devastating and always wrong."

The Dean of Blaydon, Father Michael Hickey, said: "Everybody is just shocked.

"You get to know priests in your area, and as far as I was concerned he was a priest who very much cared for his parishioners.