Father Green has gone on trial

The alleged victim, who is now aged 36, and lives in England has been giving evidence and was expected to be cross-examined later on Tuesday.

The jury was told that the offences took place in the sacristy of a church after Mass and in two parochial houses.

It was alleged the assaults came to an end after the youth was caught stealing money from another priest at the parochial house, and did not go back there.

The alleged victim told the court that he let the accused do what he did because he was a priest and he did not think he was doing anything wrong.

The court heard that the priest allegedly told his victim that he "loved him like a son and that it would be their secret".

In outlining the case to the jury, a Crown lawyer said that "essentially this was a case of the evidence of the victim against the word of Father Green".