April 27, 2006

Ex Catholic priest sentenced to 5 years' prison for abusing boys

NEW ZEALAND
Radio New Zealand

Posted at 8:06pm on 27 Apr 2006

A former Catholic brother, from the St John of God order, has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment for sexually abusing boys at a Christchurch school in the 1970s.

A High Court jury last month found Bernard Kevin McGrath, 58, guilty of 21 charges and not guilty of a further 23.

The charges related to nine victims, who were aged between seven and 15 years.

Justice Chisholm said Thursday he was sceptical that McGrath felt remorse; saying the aggravating features of McGrath's offending included breach of trust, the duration of the offending, and the deep harm suffered by his victims.

Posted by kshaw at April 27, 2006 06:32 AM