Anger at Church As Worker Is Jailed over Abuse

ABC Newcastle
March 2, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-02/anger-at-church-as-worker-is-jailed-over-abuse/3865204/?site=newcastle§ion=news

Anglican Church officials in the New South Wales Hunter Valley have been accused of ignoring sexual abuse allegations against a former youth worker, who has been jailed today.

Sixty-two-year-old James Michael Brown, known as Brother Jim, has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for sexually abusing 20 boys.

Brown showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down.

He pleaded guilty to 27 offences, including indecent and sexual assault and buggery.

They were committed against 20 boys between the 1970s and 90s.

East Maitland District Court heard most of the offences happened in Kurri Kurri while Brown was an Anglican church youth worker.

Boys as young as eight were given alcohol or drugs before being assaulted.

During sentencing Judge John North said Brown had a tried and tested modus operandi when it came to procuring young boys for his sexual gratification.

Outside court one of his victims Ray said he was angry at church officials for ignoring his complaints in 1985.

"You've got people who have committed suicide," he said.

"The Anglican Church is involved and they should be held responsible."

Phil said there was no justice.

"Definitely not, not for the way he pried on us," he said.

Newcastle's Anglican Bishop Brian Farran, has expressed deep regret for the abuse and is urging people affected to access support services.

Brown will be eligible for parole in 2017.

The Crown will appeal against his sentence.