'Beast' Leeds priest facing child abuse allegations from four more alleged victims

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A paedophile priest already serving a lengthy jail sentence has been put on trial again with more alleged victims having stepped forward.

Disgraced Father Patrick Smythe was jailed in 2022 for crimes against several boys in the 1970s and 1980s when he worked as a chaplain, and was labelled a “beast” by one of his victims after he tried to lie his way out of the accusations.

Since then, four more men have stepped forward, having read about that trial, Leeds Crown Court heard today.

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He is now on trial for 11 new counts of indecent assault on the youngsters during camping or swimming trips.

Disgraced Catholic priest Patrick Smythe is facing fresh allegations for child abuse. (pics by National World / WYP)Disgraced Catholic priest Patrick Smythe is facing fresh allegations for child abuse. (pics by National World / WYP)
Disgraced Catholic priest Patrick Smythe is facing fresh allegations for child abuse. (pics by National World / WYP) | National World / WYP

Opening the case for the Crown, Camille Morland said Smythe, now 81-years-old, had worked under the Diocese of Leeds and was in frequent contact with young boys across West Yorkshire.

Following the 2022 conviction, Ms Morland said: “Four individuals came to know about the court case.

“Some had absolutely no idea what was going on. They say for personal reasons that the time had come to speak up and speak their truth.

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“The 2022 convictions show he has a tendency to commit offences against teenage boys.”

She said the first victim, who was 12 or 13 at the time, was abused by Smythe on trips away, that he masturbated the boy and forced the youngster to masturbate him. He claims Smythe also rubbed his penis up against the boy when they were swimming in a river.

Another man claims Smythe touched his penis while they were in the swimming bath.

The third said he was on a camping trip when he woke to find Smythe touching the boy’s penis. He confronted him and Smythe apologised, but Ms Morland said the priest gave the impression that the boy was the only victim.

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Finally, the fourth alleged victim said he was about nine-years-old when Smythe cornered him, put one hand over his mouth and the other into the boys underwear.

Smythe then callously “told him to clean himself up”. The boy ran out and cried, the court heard.

Ms Morland said: “He [Smythe] says none of these things are true and says all four people have been influenced in some way with the 2022 case.”

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Smythe, formerly of Manor Square, Otley, was jailed in 2022 for seven-and-a-half years. He was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and one of attempted indecent assault. There were six victims.

The trial continues.

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