A CATHOLIC priest has been convicted of abusing a girl who willingly had sex with him at a children's home when she was aged 15.

After leaving St Mary's in Gravesend, the girl moved to Strood - and later married her foster father.

Michael McConville, 51, was also convicted of abusing a boy at the home where he was in charge. He will be sentenced later along with another priest, 56-year-old David Murphy, who previously admitted molesting children at the home.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the offences were committed in the early 1970s when McConville and Murphy were trainee priests.

Four alleged victims - three women and a man - now all in their 40s gave evidence against McConville. He went to the home, run by the Catholic Children's Society, in July 1971 and became the senior house father in charge shortly afterwards. He and Murphy met at college and became friends.

McConville, of De Laune Street, Walworth, south east London, denied eight charges of indecent assault, two of gross indecency with a male and one of a serious sexual nature. He was convicted of three indecent assault charges involving the girl and one of gross indecency with a boy.

McConville was cleared of one indecent assault on a girl by judge's direction and acquitted by the jury of the other six charges.

The female victim, now aged 45, was an orphan who was always a willing partner for sex but could not legally consent because she was under 16. The relationship progressed to full sex after McConville invited the virgin to his room.

McConville, who denied all charges, was arrested in August 2001 in Surbiton, Surrey, where he was staying at a YMCA hostel.

He admitted having a sexual relationship with the older girl but claimed it happened when she was 16 and after they had both left the home.

Murphy, now of Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, admitted nine indecent assault charges.