A catholic priest who was arrested in the Island more than 40 years ago for sexually assaulting a nine year old boy went on to indecently assault others in Yorkshire.

Last year 75 year old Father Neil Gallanagh pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting two pupils of St John's Roman Catholic School for the Deaf in Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

A further 11 charges of indecently assaulting five other boys aged under 16, including an 11-year-old, were left on file.

A Sunday newspaper revealed his previous convictions as former victims prepare to sue the church.

Jason Roberts reports:

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Gallanagh was given the job at the school despite having been caught abusing children as a priest more than ten years earlier.

On a day-trip to the Isle of Man in 1960, he was arrested for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy but was fined ?30 and released after he promised to seek medical treatment.

Gallanagh was moved to Leeds by the church and allowed to continue preaching – leading to claims by his other victims that his crimes had been covered up.

For his latest crimes, Gallanagh received a six-month suspended sentence and a ?1,500 fine.

Judge Norman Jones said that Gallanagh's age, recent poor health and good character for the last 30 years meant jail was inappropriate.