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After 42 Years, Boarding School Molester Finally Brought to Justice Sydney Morning Herald March 8, 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/national/after-42-years-boarding-school-molester-finally-brought-to-justice-20110308-1bltv.html A Catholic brother who molested two boys in their beds at a boarding school in Victoria more than 40 years ago has been jailed. Peter Paul Van Ruth was 22 years old and in his first teaching job when he indecently assaulted the boys at Salesian College in Sunbury in 1969. On Tuesday, 42 years later, Van Ruth was jailed for 28 months in the Victorian County Court. Van Ruth went to the beds of the boys who were upset and indecently touched them, the court heard. After a complaint not long after the molestation, Van Ruth was transferred to a job not involving children and later asked to leave the religious order. He taught in the state school system in South Australia and later moved back into the Catholic system where he was a principal and assistant principal. Van Ruth continued in senior roles in the education system until his offending came to light in 2006. After his arrest Van Ruth, now 64, of Adelaide, admitted he still had feelings for young boys. Sentencing Van Ruth, Judge Jane Campton said a suspended sentence was inadequate. ‘‘Your abuse of both boys involved a substantial breach of trust,’’ she said. Van Ruth must serve a non-parole period of 16 months before being eligible for parole. He will be a registered sex offender for life. |
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