Priest jailed for child sex offences

A former Catholic priest has been sentenced to more than four years jail for child sex offences.

Edmund John Haines, aged 62, had been a priest in the Geelong area for almost 30 years when police began investigating him for child sex offences.

The Geelong County Court heard Haines had taken pornographic images of a young boy that were later found on his mobile phone.

Haines pleaded guilty to several child sex offences including committing an indecent act with a child under 16.

In sentencing, Judge Chettle said Haines's offending was a breach of trust that had ruined the life of his victim.

He will serve four years and three months jail with a non parole period of two years and six months.