Retired Former Western Sydney Parish Priest Richard St John Cattell Appears in Court on Child Sex Charges

NEWS.com.au
March 27, 2014

http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/retired-former-western-sydney-parish-priest-richard-st-john-cattell-appears-in-court-on-child-sex-charges/story-fnii5s3x-1226866411109?from=public_rss

Father Richard St John Cattell, right, was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent acts, including alleged fondling and sex with a minor. Source: Supplied

A RETIRED western Sydney parish priest appeared at Tweed Heads local court this week charged with allegedly molesting and having sex with an altar boy.

Richard St John Cattell — who know lives at Robina on the Gold Coast — was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent acts, including alleged fondling and sex with a minor.

The 73-year-old, flanked by Nyst Lawyers senior associate Ron Behlau and a supporter, did not enter a plea during his brief appearance on Monday.

Mr Cattell’s alleged offences occurred over three years between 1984 and 1987. Court documents show that police allege Mr Cattell touched and fondled the young boy’s genitalia during that period.

In 1987, the former senior clergyman is alleged to have engaged in sexual intercourse without consent with the “altar server”.

Mr Cattell declined to answer questions as he left the court.

The former vicar-general of the Parramatta Diocese is alleged to have abused his “authority” over the victim while he served as a priest at St Mary's.

He was charged on February 27 after a two-year investigation by Manning/Great Lakes Local Area Command detectives, which was launched after the complainant approached police in 2012.

Mr Cattell was granted bail after he posted a $1000 bond and agreed he would not approach or contact the former altar boy.

Bail documents reveal that police regarded Mr Cattell as a “low flight risk” because of his age and that “the accused came to the (Tweed Heads police) station of his free will”.

Mr Cattell served as a priest across Sydney suburbs from 1964 to 1994 and was parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary, which included St Mary's, between 1982 and 1991.

Magistrate Michael Dakin ordered that a police brief should be served on Mr Cattell by May 5.

He will reappear at Lismore Local Court on May 20.