BishopAccountability.org
	Accused Priest Faces Child Sex Committal Hearing ABC News June 16, 2010 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/16/2928586.htm A New South Wales Catholic priest is facing a committal hearing on child sex charges today in Newcastle Local Court. David Anthony O'Hearn, 49, is facing 18 charges including sex with a minor, indecent assault and committing acts of indecency against a person aged under 16. The Crown withdrew four charges before the hearing. The charges date back to the 1980s with offences allegedly committed in Muswellbrook, Maitland, Cessnock and Windale. In giving evidence today, a 38-year-old alleged victim says he was touched by O'Hearn on his genitals during a self defence lesson at a Maitland church complex when he was eight years old. He told the court he was frightened after seeing O'Hearn's facial expressions change. He said he now understands that look to be one of lust, saying the incident has never left him. But defence barrister Phillip Bolton SC said there were inconsistencies with the man's evidence. He said he only went to police after learning O'Hearn had already been charged with other matters.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.