Former priest jailed after conviction for historic sexual abuse

Source: Diocese of Westminster

Michael Hobbs, a former priest of the Diocese of Westminster, was sentenced, on 25 March 2024, at the Old Bailey, to 12 years' imprisonment, following conviction of non-recent sexual abuse.

Westminster Diocese said in a statement:

'The Diocese of Westminster is deeply sorry for the hurt that he caused to his victims, their families and the wider community, and acknowledges the gravity of the abuse he inflicted.

The Diocese of Westminster has cooperated with the police and statutory authorities throughout the investigation.

Michael Hobbs was stood down from ministry in 2000, (after an earlier conviction for abuse) and laicised in 2002.

The Diocese of Westminster is committed to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults in its care. Over the past two decades, in conjunction with the Catholic Church in England and Wales, we have developed robust safeguarding policies and procedures, which have been put in place across parishes, chaplaincies, schools and agencies of the diocese to provide protection for children and vulnerable adults. We continue to strengthen our policies, procedures and practice.

If anyone has any concerns of a safeguarding nature involving the Diocese of Westminster, they are asked to contact the statutory authorities or the Diocesan Safeguarding Service. Contact details, further information on our safeguarding policies, and victim support are available at: www.rcdow.org.uk/safeguarding '