Priest 'abused' girls

Father Flahive faces 10 indecent assault allegations

A court has heard that a Roman Catholic priest sexually abused young women over a period of 17 years.

Father John Gerard Flahive is accused of carrying out indecent assaults between 1973 and 1990.

Sybil Thomas, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court the alleged incidents took place when Father Flahive held clerical positions within parishes in the West Midlands.

The cleric denies ten allegations of indecent assault against young women.

Convent trip

Ms Thomas said Father Flahive was "a breath of fresh air" to the parishes he served because he was younger than many other priests.

The court was told the priest, who set up youth groups and choirs, would often sit girls on his lap.

Father Flahive is on 'administrative leave'

Ms Thomas said: "It is the prosecution's case that when Father Flahive was in contact with the women he indecently assaulted them."

One alleged victim, a 42-year-old Birmingham woman, said that during a trip to a convent, Father Flahive had climbed into bed with her and touched her breasts.

In cross-examination, the defence counsel Nigel Lithman QC asked whether she could have been confused about the date of the assault.

Mr Lithman said Father Flahive did not belong to the church which ran the trip when that offence is alleged to have happened.

The court also heard evidence from another alleged victim who said that on a separate overnight trip to the same convent the priest rubbed Vicks Vapour Rub around her breasts when she was suffering from laryngitis.

Since the allegations came to light in October 2000, Father Flahive has been on "administrative leave" from his post as priest of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Sheldon, Birmingham.

The trial continues.