TIRUNELVELI: Tirunelveli court sentenced a Christian priest to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing minor girl children at a home on Wednesday.

The 57-year-old accused clergyman, Fr Stephen Joseph of Nazareth in Thoothukudi district was running a home for the poor and deserted children at Mookkuperi village.

He was charged of sexually abusing the girls at the home. In 2012 the Thoothukudi district administration has closed the home and arrested the priest.

The case came up before second additional district court, Tirunelveli, for judgment after the completion of the trial.

Fr Stephen Joseph was convicted on Wednesday and sentenced him to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 8 lakh of fine has been imposed in him in order to compensate the affected girls.