A RETIRED priest who was convicted in India of sexual activity with a male under 16 has appeared in court in Somerset.

Jonathan Robinson, 76, of Matfurlong Close, Martock, was sentenced at a magistrates in Valliyoor in April and given a three-year prison sentence for three sexual assault charges, and a fine of 10, 500 rupees – equivalent to around £115.

Robinson’s jail time has been suspended as he mounts an appeal.

The retired priest appeared at Taunton Magistrates Court last Thursday where he was made subject to a notification order.

This means he has to register personal details, including the address he is currently residing in, with Avon and Somerset Police.

Mrs Wilson, defending Robinson, said: “The allegations came forward in 2012 when the Reverend Robinson was a founding member of the Grail Trust.”

At this time, Robinson’s charity was running a children’s home in India.

Mrs Wilson added: “A maliciously motivated organisation known as Justice and Care raided the home and removed children.

“No evidence was given until the children were subjected to questioning and torture, and kept away from their families for months.

“This young gentleman then retracted his allegations. He was treated as a hostile witness, and the magistrates still sentenced my client.”

Taunton Magistrates also heard that the court granted Robinson bail pending his appeal, and he was permitted to leave the country.

This is contrary to a report in the Daily Mail which said he had failed to report to a police station.

The appeal is ongoing.