Top judge slams Catholic Church for being “in denial” over sexual abuse

LIVERPOOL (UNITED KINGDOM)
Liverpool Echo

March 22, 2018

By Neil Docking

Father Thomas Wood visited internet chat rooms and watched videos of children being raped

A top judge slammed the Catholic Church for being in “denial” over sexual abuse problems within the priesthood.

Former Liverpool priest Father Thomas Wood, 55, yesterday admitted possessing and making indecent images of children.

He visited internet chat rooms to join other perverts watching videos of young children being raped in November 2015.

Wood’s Internet Protocol (IP) address led police to the presbytery of Our Lady’s church in Southport Road, Lydiate.

But he was spared jail after convincing Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, that he wanted help to address his problems.

Damian Nolan, defending, provided Liverpool Crown Court with a number of references on behalf of the disgraced priest.

Judge Goldstone said: “Some of the references I find much more compelling than others.

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