Father John Benedict Corrigan was extradited from Ireland to face charges of child abuse dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.

Shortly after his extradition in October last year, Corrigan appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he admitted seven charges of indecent assault between 1967 and 1972.

The charges related to three boys who were aged between eight and 13.

It was after the case was in the public spotlight last year a fourth victim came forward and told police she had also been abused by the clergyman.

As a result the 71-year-old admitted a further charge of indecent assault from the same time period, when the girl was 14.

He denied a further charge relating to the same girl and was due to be tried by a jury yesterday.

But before the case got underway Corrigan - who worked in parishes across Tyneside and County Durham - changed his plea and admitted the second indecent assault charge, from when the girl was 15.

His barrister Tony Hawks told the court: "In the 1960s and 1970s, when he was a priest - in a position of absolute trust, it has to be accepted - he abused four complainants.

"There is nothing to suggest it has happened since."

Corrigan, who has already registered as a sex offender, may be sentenced when his case is back before the court tomorrow.

Northumbria Public Protection Unit (PPU) officers, together with the Catholic Church's area safeguarding co-ordinator Father Dennis Tindall, have helped give the victims their justice.

Two officers from the unit escorted Corrigan from his home in Westport in Ireland on October 24 last year after a hearing in Dublin.

An initial hearing to extradite him failed, but after an appeal another court ruled he should be brought back to North East England.

Known as Fr Ben, Corrigan was assistant priest at St Robert of Newminster, Fenham, Newcastle, and parish priest at St Wilfred's, Gateshead.

He also worked in America and carried on his priesthood at St Cuthbert's, New Seaham, County Durham.

He moved to Galway and retired in 1994.

Fr Tindall said: "It is a cause of great regret that a priest should appear in court to respond to allegations of harming children.

"We always work closely with police to ensure the safety of children.

"The Diocese continues to give support to those who have been harmed."

"Church communities should be places where everyone can feel safe.

"Harming children is the very opposite of the Church's message and is never acceptable."

Det Insp Shaun Tumelty, head of the PPU unit involved in the case, said: "We have worked with the Catholic Church for a number of years, carrying out reviews.

"Officers have worked to bring a successful conclusion to the inquiry on behalf of the victims."