A local Roman Catholic priest has been cleared of sexual assault.

Fifty-one-year-old Thomas Offong was charged in December of 2023 following a complaint by an adult woman, whose name was banned from publication.

The incident was alleged to have occurred a month earlier in the Avondale area, where Offong was serving.

He pleaded not guilty and a one-day trial was scheduled before lawyers indicated they were working on a resolution to the case.

Earlier today, Crown prosecutor Tim O’Brien told the court “there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction,” so no evidence was called, and an acquittal was entered.

The case was also several months over the 18-month maximum for a trial to conclude in provincial court, though it’s not clear if that played any part in the decision.

Offong also served in Colliers, Conception Harbour and Burin, and the Grand Falls-Windsor area.

He had been relieved of his duties pending the outcome of the case but is expected to be reinstated.