A priest appeared in court today charged with a series of sex offences against young girls.
Patrick Fitzpatrick, of Holycross Home, Etrrick Grove, Sunderland, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief hearing at Hartlepool Magistrates Court.
The 75-year-old, who formerly taught at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic School for Boys in Hartlepool, has been charged with five counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 and two counts of gross indecency with a girl.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between June 1964 and March 1966.
The case was adjourned for two weeks until Tuesday November 11.
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