A former Catholic priest who used a child to satisfy his “foot fetish” has been jailed for five years.
Piotr Antoni Glas (61) was found guilty of three counts of committing acts of gross indecency towards a child after a seven-day trial in April.
After around six hours of deliberation, a jury found that the priest had abused a child by holding his face to the child’s feet while masturbating on a number of occasions.
Glas was also found to have play-wrestled the child, pinning them down, and trapping their head against what the victim described as his “semi-erect” penis, with the child’s feet against the priest’s face.
Jurors acquitted him of two other charges, two fell away, and three more charges were thrown out by the court earlier in the trial.
The former Catholic priest is known as Peter when his name is anglicised.
In the Royal Court today, Glas was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and given a permanent restraining order against his victim.
Following the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Caroline Foord said: “The victim showed immense courage to report this abuse to the States of Jersey Police. Glas was working as a parish priest in Jersey between 2003 and 2008 where he gained popularity.
“Glas’s behaviour was manipulative, abusing his position of trust. As a result, his offending behaviour remained unchallenged for a prolonged period of time and he took advantage of opportunities to groom the victim for his own sexual gratification.”
She added: “Investigating historic cases of sexual abuse may present unique challenges.
“However, the States of Jersey Police will seek to conduct a thorough investigation to obtain all available evidence and to bring offenders to justice.”
Anyone wishing to report sexual abuse are encouraged to make contact either directly with the States of Jersey Police or through Dewberry House where they can also get support’