Catholic Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse

ABC News
June 28, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-21/catholic-teacher-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-abuse/4773284?section=nsw

[with video]

Catholic school teacher, Brother Martin Harmata, who worked at Sydney's Patrician Brothers Blacktown College has pleaded guilty to eight charges of sexually abusing three children in his care in the 1980s.

Editor's Note: The Diocese of Parramatta has informed the ABC that it did not oppose the lifting of the suppression order on the school's name; that it did not pay for Br Martin Harmata's legal representation or costs; and that it did not authorise or pay for a hire car to pick up Br Martin Harmata from the court proceedings.

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: A Catholic school teacher who worked at Sydney's Patrician Brothers Blacktown college has pleaded guilty to eight charges of sexually abusing three children in his care.

The District Court revoked a suppression order that previously prevented publication of Harmata's name or the name of the school.

The abuse took place in the mid and late 1980s.

Brother Martin Harmata taught science and maths at Patrician Brothers college Blacktown for 30 years. He left the school in 2012 after one of his victims confronted him in the playground.

Brother Martin befriended many families in the local area convincing parents to let him take their sons away on school camps. He faced the Parramatta district court today to answer eight charges dating back to the late 80s.

Can you tell us how many teachers were involved in these crimes?

Martin Harmata: No comment.

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: Two other former teachers from the same Catholic boys college are each facing 12 charges of child sexual abuse. It's understood one of the victims will claim in court that he was abused by all three men. The diocese of Parramatta issued a statement saying:

(EXTRACT FROM STATEMENT)

GREG WHITBY, EXEC DIR OF SCHOOLS, DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA (VOICEOVER): "We are deeply distressed and saddened by the pain and suffering caused to our former students... All crimes against children are intolerable, especially when they are committed by a teacher entrusted with the wellbeing and care of children."

(END OF EXTRACT)

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: It's understood Brother Martin's legal fees are being paid by the diocese of Parramatta which organised a chauffeur driven car to pick him up and take him back to his home at the Patrician Brothers compound.

Editor's Note: The second paragraph of this transcript has been amended since broadcast. The ABC confirms that the suppression orders over Harmata's name and the school were revoked by consent at the hearing on 21 June, 2013.