Simon Grey alleges he was abused over an eight-year period by Father Christopher Clonan, then assistant parish priest at a Coventry church.

Mr Grey, now 36 and living in Leicester, says he was psychologically damaged by his experiences and turned to crime and alcoholism.

He has launched the action against the Archbishop of Birmingham and the Trustees of the Birmingham Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

Police search

Mr Grey claims Father Clonan's superior was made aware of the priest's alleged abuse of another boy in 1974, but failed to act.

The two-day hearing will decide whether the case has been launched within the statutory time limit, which will determine whether or not it can proceed.

Robert Seabrook QC told Deputy Judge John Leighton Williams QC the case could not be brought against Father Clonan as he had fled when complaints were made about him in 1992.

"There have been a number of attempts to find him by the church and the police but he has disappeared off the scene."

Mr Grey claims he was first abused at the age of 10 in 1975 when he became an altar boy at Christ the King Church in Coundon, Coventry.

Mr Seabrook told the court Mr Grey had been abused on a weekly basis, and was one of a number of victims.

"That abuse culminated or included the most serious end of the spectrum."

Late claim

He said Mr Grey had become an alcoholic and had taken to injuring himself, once almost cutting off an arm and another time setting himself alight.

He had since cut back on drinking, turned his back on crime, and got married.

The Archbishop and the Trustees deny liability, and claim Mr Grey's difficulties in adult life were caused by pre-existing vulnerability and family circumstances.

They argue Mr Grey should have brought the claim by 1993, and it is now too late to do so.

The hearing was adjourned until 1030 BST on Friday, when the judge will give his ruling.