A Roman Catholic priest has been arrested over claims he stole $1.3m (£750,000) in church money over seven years. He allegedly spent it on male escorts, clothing, luxury hotels and restaurants.

Police in Waterbury, Connecticut, said the Rev Kevin J Gray, 64, was charged today with first-degree larceny. Gray is the former pastor at Sacred Heart/Sagrado Corazón parish in Waterbury.

The Hartford archdiocese asked police to investigate last month after it found the priest may have taken more than $1m for personal use.

Gray was Sacred Heart's pastor from January 2003 until April 2010.