Priest wanted over sex abuse claims

Christopher Clonan could be using false identification

Detectives are appealing for help in tracing an ex-priest wanted over allegations that he sexually abused young boys in his former parish.

West Midlands Police said they believed Christopher Oliver Clonan could be hiding in the Melbourne area of Australia, where he has family links.

Mr Clonan left his post of 20 years at the Christ The King Roman Catholic Church, in Coundon, Coventry, in July 1992, amid a police inquiry into allegations that he had abused altar boys and other youngsters in his care.

A police spokesman said eight complainants - aged between eight and 17 at the time of the alleged offences - had made allegations against Mr Clonan.

False identification

Acting Detective Inspector Keith Clarke said they urgently wished to trace the clergyman so he could be arrested and face extradition proceedings.

"Someone somewhere knows where this man is and we are asking anyone with any information to contact us.

"It is quite possible that someone has met Clonan while on their travels abroad and he may well be using a different name and false identification.

"He left Coventry over ten years ago and I believe it is inconceivable that he has not been aware that the police want to question him about serious allegations."