A Catholic priest who repeatedly raped and assaulted boys has been jailed for 22 years – and police believe there may be more victims.

Father Eugene Fitzpatrick, 68, was found guilty of the horrific attacks at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday and sentenced the next day.

He raped one boy multiple times between 1986 and 1992 while working at Our Lady and Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Balls Pond Road, Islington.

He also indecently assaulted another boy throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The first offence took place in Tufnell Park in 1965 when he was just 17 and the boy aged under eight.

Fitzpatrick, of Canterbury, was found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child relating to the first victim, for which he received a total of five years.

He was jailed for 17 years for raping the second victim, of which he was guilty on two counts. The two terms will be served consecutively.

Fitzpatrick, who had denied all charges, was also ordered to sign the sex offender register for life.

Det Cons Lorraine Simpson and Klementina Balint, the investigating officers, said: “Eugene Fitzpatrick is a predatory sex offender who abused his position of trust, preying on vulnerable youngsters and subjecting them to horrific sexual abuse over a period of years.

“In addition to the two known victims in this case, I believe that there may be additional survivors of Fitzpatrick’s actions who continue to suffer in silence. I urge anyone who has been abused by Eugene Fitzpatrick to contact police without delay.

“Specially trained officers will support victims throughout the investigative process and there are a number of additional support pathways that we are able to signpost.”

The NSPCC echoed the police’s calls. A spokeswoman said: “By pleading not guilty to all charges he forced his victims to relive their ordeal but their bravery has helped ensure that Fitzpatrick will finally be punished for his crimes.

“We hope both can access the support needed to help them move forward with their lives and we would urge any other potential victims to come forward.”

Anyone who thinks they are a victim of Eugene Fitzpatrick can contact the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command by dialling 101.