LEEDS (UNITED KINGDOM)
Yorkshire Evening Post [Leeds, UK]
December 21, 2023
By Nick Frame
A former Catholic priest who worked across West Yorkshire is facing 10 allegations of child abuse dating back more than 40 years.
Father Patrick Smythe appeared from custody via video link at Leeds Crown Court this afternoon where he denied all of charges and will stand trial next year.
They include nine counts of indecent assault and one of indecency dating between 1976 and 1989. There are four alleged victims who were young boys at the time.
Smythe, who was a priest with the Diocese of Leeds, spoke during the short hearing only to confirm his date of birth, and then repeated “not guilty” after each of the charges were read out.