Ire over Ex-priest Sex Case Delay

By Samantha-jo Harris
Armidale Express
April 11, 2014

http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/2211299/ire-over-ex-priest-sex-case-delay/?cs=12

AN ARMIDALE magistrate has sharply rebuked the defence of a former priest facing historic child sexual abuse for not filing documents to the court.

An order relating to the cross-examination of witnesses was meant to be determined on Wednesday.

However, Magistrate Karen Stafford said the documents had not been provided to the court.

The defrocked priest, who cannot be named for legal reasons, first appeared in Armidale Local Court on October 18, 2012.

Wednesday was the 13th time his case has been before the court.

“It honestly staggers me, in a matter of such delay, that nothing’s been filed,” Magistrate Stafford said.

“Why wasn’t the court’s timetable complied with?” she asked

Defence lawyer Glen Kee said it was an oversight.

The defence said there was no need for the majority of the complainants against the man to give oral evidence during the committal.

However, four witnesses of the complainants have been included in the application. Magistrate Stafford then asked Crown prosecutor Peter Woods about providing a brief of evidence.

He said substantial negotiations had been going on for the past 18 months, with some agreement reached into the facts surrounding the case. The magistrate said she required a summary of the brief, which was 11 volumes, warning both sides would have to come to an agreement before May 21 to progress with the case.

“I don’t have time to wade through 11 volumes,” she told Mr Woods.

“Surely there could be some refinement.”

The man is facing 136 charges, with most of them relating to the alleged sexual abuse of three girls and six altar boys during the 1970s and 1980s and of a further two girls and one altar boy in Moree and Armidale in the early 1980s.

Another relates to the incorrect storage of a firearm.

The matter has been listed for a section 91 hearing or committal to trial on June 4.

If the applications are successful a committal hearing date will be set, and if they are not there will be a paper committal.

The man remains on bail, with conditions that prevent him from visiting Armidale except for legal or medical reasons.

He also can’t approach Crown witnesses, his accusers or people under the age of 16.