Priest Alexander Bede Walsh has being found guilty of 21 sexual offences against eight boys.

The 58-year-old, of Abbots Bromley, was convicted by a jury following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Yesterday, he was convicted of 18 count of sexually abusing seven boys, and a further serious sexual offence, and today the jury found him guilty of a further charge of indecent assault against an eighth boy.

He was found not guilty of six charges.

Walsh, who was remanded in custody, will now be sentenced at the same court on March 9.

The detailed investigation into Walsh’s crimes, headed by DC Tim Bailey, began back in 2009 when two victims independently contacted police at Cheadle to report the abuse.

DC Bailey said: "I welcome today’s conviction and hope it goes some way to helping the victims move on with their lives."

Read more in The Sentinel tomorrow.

More of our coverage of the trial:

Catholic priest found guilty of sexually abusing seven boys

Priest sex trial: Abuse claims are 'pack of lies', jury told

Priest: 'I am easy target for sex allegations'

Accused priest worked at two other churches

Father tells jury he believed his son was 'in good hands'

Priest sex trial: 'He abused me at college'

Priest sex trial: Boy was disgusted at 'abuse' by priest

Priest sex trial: 'Abuse made me feel like pervert'

Priest accused of sexually abusing boys over 20 years

Former Catholic priest trials trial over sex assault on boys

Former priest denies sex charges