ABC Melbourne
August 7, 2011
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-08/best-jailed-for-14-years2c-9-months/2829166/?site=melbourne
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| Christian Brother, Robert Best, 70, will serve a minimum term of 11 years. |
A Christian Brother has been sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for sexually abusing young boys at a series of Victorian schools.
Seventy-year-old Robert Best taught at schools in Ballarat, Box Hill and Geelong between the 1960s and the 1980s.
He has been convicted in the Victorian County Court of abusing 11 boys, mainly aged between eight and 11.
Best stood in the dock without emotion as he was sentenced to 14 years and nine months in prison, with a minimum term of 11 years.
His many victims were in court and shouted at Best as he was led away.
Civil claims lawyer Dr Vivian Waller says the Catholic Church should now pay compensation to the victims.
"The Catholic Church and particular the Christian Brothers who have stood by Brother Best the whole time now need to take the next step on the road to recovery for these victims and assist them with their treatment and education," she said.
"We'll be claiming damages for pain and suffering and for the cost of medical treatment, and other special damages that will assist these victims to recover from what they've been through."
Stephen Woods is also a victim of sexual abuse and was at the court for the sentencing.
"He deserves a hard time, because that's what he gave the victims, that's what he gave the families," he said.
"He's unrepentant. He doesn't show any remorse."
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