St William's paedophile Anthony McCallen appeals against jail term

A former chaplain of a Roman Catholic children's care home who sexually abused 11 boys has appealed against his 15-year jail sentence.

Anthony McCallen was jailed in January for abusing the boys at the former St William's Children's Home near Market Weighton between 1970 and 1991.

At the Court of Appeal, his barrister John Dunning claimed his sentence was too harsh and applied for it to be cut.

A decision will be made at a later date.

McCallen, formerly of Whernside Crescent, Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, was convicted in December of 11 charges including a serious sexual offence, but was acquitted of eight others after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

His co-defendant, James Carragher, of Cearns Road, Merseyside, was jailed for nine years after he was found guilty of 21 indecent assaults and three serious sex offences. He was cleared of a further 30 charges.