A Roman Catholic priest who sexually assaulted a teenage girl was today jailed for six months.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, told William Finnegan, known to his parishioners as “Father Bill”, he committed a gross breach of trust when he groped and kissed the 17-year-old in his church in April last year.

Finnegan, 60, who was parish priest at St Clare's in Fagley, Bradford, was found guilty by a jury at Bradford Crown Court last month.

During the trial it was heard that Finnegan was secretly married.

Wearing a smart suit and patterned tie, he showed no emotion as he was led to the cells this afternoon.