By Dan Proudman
The Herald
December 4, 2009
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hunter-catholic-priest-sex-abuse-charges-dropped/1695616.aspx
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| THANK YOU: Peter Brock. |
HIGH-profile Catholic priest Peter Brock repeated his declaration of innocence yesterday after child sex charges were dropped against him.
After more than two years of police investigations and well-documented court hearings, it took less than a minute for Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor John Stanhope to inform magistrate Elaine Truscott in Newcastle Local Court that the prosecution was withdrawing all 22 charges against Father Brock.
Mr Stanhope did not give a reason for withdrawing the charges.
The charges had alleged an ongoing abuse of two boys during the 1970s.
"First of all, I am innocent of the charges laid by the police and which the Crown has now withdrawn," Father Brock said outside court.
He thanked his legal team, family and friends for their "wonderful support".
"Finally, it's been a long ordeal and I'm looking forward to a long holiday," he said.
Two more days of committal hearings were due to begin in court yesterday following three days of cross-examination by Father Brock's barrister Peter Hamill, SC, in August.
But the developments meant the 64-year-old did not have a case to answer on allegations he has denied since first being charged by Strike Force Georgiana detectives last year.
Father Brock will still be investigated by Zimmerman House, the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese's child protection unit, before a report is handed to the NSW Ombudsman.
"I acknowledge that the police investigation and court process has been demanding for all those involved," Bishop Michael Malone said in a statement.
"As withdrawal of charges does not equate to a finding of guilt or innocence this journey is not yet over."
He said the diocese was "legally required" to conduct the ombudsman's investigation and he had directed Zimmerman House to "undertake this investigation with application and diligence, to ensure due process for all parties".
"The burden of proof in ombudsman matters is 'on the balance of probabilities' not the criminal standard of 'beyond reasonable doubt'," Bishop Malone said.
Father Brock will remain stood down from his duties while the Zimmerman House investigation is conducted.
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