Priests could be covered by new abuse of trust law
Priests who sexually abuse young people over 16 in their care will face prison sentences if tough new government proposals become law. In the wake of the controversy over convicted paedophile priest Fr Michael Hill, the Home Office has confirmed that it is considering a plan put forward by Baroness Young to amend the Sexual Offences Bill to include clergy, as well as care workers and teachers, under a new offence of 'abuse of trust'. The proposal has been drawn up to protect young people over the age of 16 in schools, hospitals, care homes and communities. A government spokesman said the government was looking at the amendment "sympathetically".