New Charges on Former Priest

Sky News
July 17, 2013

http://www.skynews.com.au/local/article.aspx?id=888670




NSW police have laid 13 additional charges against a former Catholic priest relating to alleged historical child assault offences.

They say that the 59-year-old man faced Armidale Local Court on charges relating to alleged child-sex offences against six boys and three girls in the 1970s and 1980s.

'During his appearance, the man was additionally charged with 13 offences relating to alleged assaults against a boy, aged 12 to 14, between 1981 and 1984 in Moree,' police said in a statement.

'They include nine counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of indecent assault.

'In total, the man has been charged with 137 alleged child-sex offences and remains on strict conditional bail.

'He is due to reappear at Armidale Local Court on September 3.

'Today's new charges follow ongoing investigations by Strike Force Glenroe which was established in July last year and comprises detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad and the New England and Barwon Local Area Commands,' police said.

'Strike Force Glenroe investigations are ongoing and detectives urge anyone with information to assist them to come forward.

'State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of experienced detectives dedicated to investigating crimes of a sexual nature, regardless of the passage of time.

'Any person who has been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, is encouraged to make a report at their local police station.

'Anyone with information about sexual abuse should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.'