Former Priest Found Guilty

A former Catholic priest has been found guilty of a non-recent sexual offence against a boy.

On Tuesday 13 January, Alexander Bede Walsh, 72, of HMP Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was convicted of indecent assault against a child following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Bede Walsh indecently assaulted the victim at a church in Cheadle in the 1980s.

He is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2012 of two sexual offences and 19 counts of indecent assault.

Detective Constable Joseph Allen, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO), worked on the case.

He said: “Officers have worked hard to support those affected by Bede Walsh’s crimes and to build evidence against him to secure today’s conviction.

“If you’re a survivor and feel ready to tell us what has happened to you, please know that you will be listened to and supported every step of the way as we seek to deliver justice.”

If you’re ready to talk to us, call 101 or use Live Chat on our website.