A Roman Catholic priest who defrauded his parish of more than £50,000 and lavished thousands on his housekeeper and her daughters was living with "them as a family", a court heard.

Father John Reid, who was expected be living a simple, celibate, single life, fell in love with Gillian Leddy and was in fact splashing cash on oysters, wine and foreign travel for himself, her and her two daughters.

When the priest was replaced at St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, his successor found it was dirty and littered with alcohol bottles, Durham Crown Court heard.

He was spared jail when his 18-month jail term was suspended by the judge.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said concerns were raised by parishioners in January 2013 about how finances were being handled.