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	Accounts of Victims Heard in Abuse Case The Manly Daily July 17, 2008 http://www.manlydaily.com.au/article/2008/07/17/11136_news.html A TEENAGER burned down his house and had to live on the streets after his father laughed at claims he was sexually abused by a former Collaroy Plateau priest, a court has heard. Paul Raymond Evans, a former priest at St Rose of Lima church at Collaroy Plateau, has pleaded not guilty to 20 serious child sex charges allegedly committed against seven boys in his care. During a five-week trial the Sydney District Court has heard the alleged abuse occurred during the '70s and '80s while they were pupils at Boys' Town at Engadine. In his closing address yesterday Judge Robert Hulme said one of the alleged victims stated in evidence he was sexually assaulted by Mr Evans in 1977 and afterwards "just went to bed and cried". "The accused told him not to say anything because he would not be believed," Judge Hulme said. The then teenager, who cannot be named, later ran away from Boys' Town and told his father who laughed at his son's claims. "As a response he (the boy) burned the house down then had to live on the streets," Judge Hulme said. One of the boys who did complain in the 1980s said the matter was brushed off by the school's director who said "men get urges" and he should forget about what happened. Defence barrister Peter Mcgrath said many witness statements were inconsistent and the alleged victims could be motivated by money in the form of compensation. Mr Mcgrath said his client had told the court he would cuddle and massage the boys or rub their necks but denied ever touching them inappropriately. The case continues.
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