Christian Brother Robert Best Loses Appeal against Conviction for Molesting Young Boys

Herald Sun
November 21, 2012

www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/christian-brother-robert-best-loses-appeal-against-conviction-for-molesting-young-boys/story-fnat7jnn-1226521152870

CONVICTED pedophile Christian Brother Robert Best has failed in a bid to have his convictions overturned.

Robert Charles Best, 70, was jailed for a minimum of 11 years and three months in August last year for molesting young boys during a 20-year period at three Victorian schools.

The shocking history of abuse related to 11 boys he taught at St Alipius Primary School in Ballarat, St Leo's College in Box Hill, and St Joseph's College in Geelong between 1969 and 1988.

Among them was a nine-year-old disabled boy who was raped by Best.

The former school principal was found guilty at trial of 21 charges and later pleaded guilty to a further six.

Best lodged the Supreme Court appeal against seven convictions for indecently assaulting a schoolboy between 1971 and 74 while principal at St Alipius Primary School.

His legal team argued the prosecution had relied entirely on the victim’s account and had failed to call several key witnesses.

Significantly, the defence argued, the complainant’s mother should have been called as a witness.

It was also argued that the victim’s recollection of the sustained abuse was not corroborated before the jury.

But in his judgment, Justice Robert Osborn said there was no requirement at law for the evidence to be corroborated.

“It was for the jury to assess its truth and reliability,” he said.

"I am not satisfied that the particular matters agitated by the appellant ... establish that the jury acting reasonably was precluded from being satisfied of guilt beyond reasonable doubt," he said.

Best remains a member of the Christian Brothers, who have not expelled him.

It is believed the Catholic order spent in excess of $1 million defending him in court but did not fund this appeal.



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