Ex-vicar jailed for sex attacks

Richard Nigel Parry admitted sex offences at Mold Crown Court

A former parish priest has been jailed for four years after admitting sex attacks against young girls.

Richard Nigel Parry, 47, from Shotton, admitted four charges of indecent assault and one charge of gross indecency against two girls under 16.

Mold Crown Court heard the offences happened between 12 and 14 years ago.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC told Parry he will not be considered for parole until he has served at least half his sentence.

Mr Hughes told Parry that at the time of the offences "you held the position of parish priest and no doubt received the respect of the community.

"But you behaved in a depraved way.

"It goes without saying it was a gross breach of the trust of a child."

Lost vocation

Parry, who worked in Wrexham and Flintshire, left the church in 2000 and started work as a counsellor.

Prosecuting barrister Matthew Dunford told the court that when one of Parry's victims found out that his new role could involve working with children and young people, she reported the matter to the police.

Defending barrister Gordon Hennell said that his client was had lost his reputation, his family, his home and his vocation.

Parry was given two sentences of four and two-and-a-half years to run concurrently

He was placed on the sex offenders' register for life and an indefinite sexual offences prevention order was also made, limiting his contact with young people when he is released from jail.