April 01, 2005

Former priest in court on sex charges

AUSTRALIA
ninemsn.com

10:27 AEDT Fri Apr 1 2005

A former Anglican priest charged with child sex abuse would have to surrender a substantial amount of his savings if he were to be released on bail, a court said.

The 50-year-old former priest made his first appearance in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with five counts of indecent assault, one charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and two counts of procuring the commission of an act of gross indecency.

The offences allegedly occurred between October 27, 1991 and May 31, 1992 when the man was employed as a school chaplain.

The man denied the charges and said he had a network of friends that were prepared to provide $20,000 bail surety and had considerable savings of his own that could be lodged with the court.

Posted by kshaw at April 1, 2005 05:36 AM