WILLIAM FINNEGAN CASTLEFORD PRIEST JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BRADFORD

In a case that has shocked the local community, William Finnegan, a 60-year-old priest from Castleford, was sentenced to six months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Fagley, Bradford. The incident occurred during Easter last year, and the court heard that Finnegan had passionately kissed the teenager and touched her bottom, actions that the judge described as an “enormous breach of trust.”

Finnegan's conviction was secured after a jury deliberated and found him guilty, leading to his sentencing at Bradford Crown Court. During the proceedings, it was revealed that Finnegan had been secretly married since 1999, a fact that added further complexity to the case and highlighted the extent of his personal secrets.

The presiding judge, Judge Roger Thomas QC, expressed his disappointment with Finnegan, stating that the priest was “in denial” about the seriousness of his actions, which he described as a “considerable fall from grace.” The judge questioned Finnegan’s motives, suggesting that his dishonesty might stem from a fear of losing face or facing shame in front of his supporters. The court heard that Finnegan, who resides on Acacia Close in Castleford, was driven by sexual attraction towards the victim, referred to in court as B.

Judge Thomas emphasized that on Easter Sunday, Finnegan failed to restrain his impulses and acted out of his sexual attraction, committing the assault. He pointed out that Finnegan not only physically molested the girl but also placed her in an extremely difficult position, as a priest, to report what had happened. The victim, in an impact statement read aloud in court, expressed her distress, questioning why Finnegan, whom she believed to be a man of God, would lie and put her through such trauma.

Further criticism was directed at some members of Finnegan’s parish community, who continued to support him despite the allegations. The judge remarked that Finnegan was perceived by many as a good man, to the extent that some might believe anything he said, even if it defied logic or reality.

Following the allegations, Finnegan was suspended from his duties and has been barred from returning to the priesthood. During the trial, it was also revealed that Finnegan had secretly married Beverley Dawson in Cyprus after meeting her at his former parish in Castleford. Dawson testified that she and Finnegan had never lived together permanently but maintained a regular relationship, including holidays and a sexual relationship.

As part of his sentence, Finnegan was ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years, reflecting the severity of his misconduct and the court’s stance on protecting vulnerable individuals from such abuse.