CHILD victims of a paedophile priest have won an out-of-court settlement from the Catholic Church.

The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle has paid an undisclosed sum to parents of three boys assaulted by Father Adrian McLeish, the first pay-out of its kind in the North-East.

McLeish, 49, was jailed in 1996 after admitting 12 charges of abusing boys under 14 and six offences of distributing child pornography.

Families of the three boys issued a writ alleging senior church officials knew of the perverted priest's cravings to abuse youngsters.

They claimed McLeish was moved from one parish, in Wallsend, Tyneside, to St Joseph's Church, in Gilesgate, Durham City, in 1991, to cover up his past.

The church, which denied any prior knowledge, paid damages this week in a settlement which protects them from any liability for his actions.

A diocese spokesman said: "The Bishop and the diocese have always expressed their sorrow and regret for the great suffering and harm caused by the actions of Adrian McLeish. The diocese has tried for some considerable time to settle a claim made by the families.

"The diocese denies any legal liability for the actions of Adrian McLeish and in respect of themselves, and none has been established.

"Nothing can make up for the past damage, but by consent of all parties a settlement has been accepted to help the young people move on."

McLeish was freed after serving two years of a six-year sentence and is thought to be living in the south of England.

He is not on the sex offenders' register because his crimes pre-date its launch in 1997.

He has received counselling from the church and a voluntary revocation of his priesthood is being considered by the Vatican