Former priest faces 10 years imprisonment for sexual abuse

The trial of a former French priest accused of sexually abusing dozens of boy scouts in the 1980s and 1990s is set to begin in France.

Bernard Preynat is alleged to have assaulted more than 80 individuals and faces ten years in prison if convicted.

His trial was scheduled to start on Monday, but was delayed because of a lawyers’ strike over pension reforms.

Ten of his accusers, all aged between seven and 15 at the time of the alleged abuse, are expected to give evidence.

Also linked to the case is Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, who was found guilty last march of failing to report the allegations against Preynat.

Barbarin is the highest-profile cleric within the Catholic Church in France to face trial over the child sexual abuse scandal.

The trial is expected to last at least four days.