A paedophile former priest who fled from the UK to the US in 1985 was jailed for 21 years Friday after a campaign of sexual abuse against young boys that since 1950s.
A jury at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for six hours before unanimously convicting 73-year-old James Robinson, who was extradited from California last year to face trial.
James Robinson was extradited from the US to face trial
He was found guilty of 21 charges relating to offences against six boys in the West Midlands parishes he had worked in.
Robinson had denied the offences, which were committed between 1959 and 1983.
The ex-priest who was known as 'Father Jim', reportedly had a "dreadful weakness" for boys as young as 10, the court was told.
Prosecutor John Attwood told the jury that the priest used his position of trust to gain "unfettered and unlimited" access to victims who "caught his eye".
In passing sentence, Judge Patrick Thomas QC, described the defendant as "devious and manipulative".
"The offences you committed were unimaginably wicked and caused immense and long-lasting - we can only hope not permanent - damage to the six victims."
"You used, you abused your position of trust, your position of authority and total trust within the communities that you moved to and from."
He was told by the judge that he would have to serve two thirds of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Robinson worked as a priest in several parishes across England's Midlands during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The first complaint against Robinson was made to West Midlands Police in 1985.
Robinson, who was also a blacksmith and professional boxer before entering the priesthood.
Source: Daily Chilli
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