A RETIRED priest has today been bailed after appearing in court over 15 allegations of sex assault on a child and an adult.

Father Haley Dossor appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court in Elm Street, just metres from St Mary at the Elms church where until his retirement in November 2006 he was priest-in-charge.

Standing in the dock wearing a grey suit Dossor spoke only to confirm his name and address.

The 71-year-old of Kirton, near Felixstowe, has yet to enter a plea.

The charges related to three alleged victims and relate to the period from 1990 to 2004.

Dossor faces 14 charges of indecent assault - 11 on an adult and three on a child - and one of sexual touching of a male under the age of 13.

His first parish was Shelley, near Hadleigh, where he formed part of a team ministry from 1990-2001, before moving to St Mary at the Elms.

During his time in Ipswich, Dosser used his industrial background to build strong links with the business community and established two popular events in the town. The Christmas carol service and a business harvest service, both of which were attended by hundreds of businessmen and women.

Dossor was also responsible for returning a replica of the Shrine of Our Lady Grace to St Mary at the Elms church in 2002 and twinning Ipswich with the Italian town of Nettuno, where the original now stands.

Dossor also helped lead the community in the aftermath of the murders of five Ipswich sex workers by Steve Wright in 2006.