Retired Suffolk Priest jailed for historic sex offences

Dennis Finbow, 74, abused a girl over a three-year period starting more than 40 years ago.

Cambridge crown court
Author: Cameron GreenPublished 8th Mar 2023
Last updated 8th Mar 2023

A retired priest from Suffolk has been jailed for more than six years; after sexually abusing a girl over a three-year period starting more than 40 years ago.

Dennis Finbow, 74, visited the family home in Paston, Peterborough, on numerous occasions between June 1982 and December 1985 and abused the victim.

Finbow would go into the girl’s bedroom claiming her mother had sent him, and that he wanted to speak to her about becoming a woman.

He also asked her to take her clothes off as well as touching her inappropriately.

Today (Wednesday, 8 March), at Cambridge crown court, Finbow was jailed for six years and six months having been found guilty on three counts of indecent assault after having pleaded not guilty to five counts.

DC Annette Renwick said: “I am pleased Finbow has finally faced justice. He subjected the victim to shocking sexual abuse which can leave serious lifelong psychological scars.

“His role was that of a person in a position of trust, a person that many parishioners admired but who also trusted him with their children. That trust he abused.

“The victim showed immense bravery to not only come forward, but also to support us with a prosecution and give evidence in court, which takes a huge amount of strength and courage.”

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