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Pedophile to sue U.K. Catholic church

LONDON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A pedophile is attempting to sue the British Catholic Church, claiming abuse he suffered at the hands of a priest turned him into a sex offender.

The man, who served five years in prison for sexually abusing three children, says he himself was abused by a priest in the early 1970s.

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Police dropped a criminal investigation into his claims after a four-month inquiry, due to legal technicalities and a lack of corroborative evidence. The alleged victim then decided to bring legal action in the civil courts.

The man says that at age 16 he was forced by a priest to take part in degrading sexual acts, abuse he claims played a major role in turning him into a child abuser.

He told BBC Radio Friday the abuse he had suffered "reared its ugly head" in later life.

"I too had become an abuser of the worst kind -- a pedophile," he said.

"I groomed my victims in exactly the same way as a Catholic priest groomed me.

"I know that this man has other victims simply because I'm a pedophile, just like he is."

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It is understood the priest involved was allowed to remain in the clergy after a risk assessment. The Church denies wrongdoing, saying it followed correct procedures.

In a statement, the diocese at the center of the claims said: "These allegations are untrue and are totally denied."

It is thought to be the first time a convicted pedophile has taken legal action against the British Catholic Church.

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