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Sex assault priest jailed for 22 months
By Elle Farcic
A Catholic priest who unlawfully and indecently assaulted a teenager in Perth 30 years ago has been sentenced to 22 months in jail. Glenn Humphreys was found guilty of four counts of unlawful and indecent assault but acquitted of carnal knowledge against the order of nature in August. The 61-year-old admitted having an "inappropriate" sexual relationship with the boy, who is now aged 45, but told the court their actions were consensual. District Court Judge Philip Eaton said given his age, Humphreys would have known his behaviour was "grossly inappropriate". “Be not mistaken, I accept you are remorseful,” he said “The fact of general deterrence, in my view, remains a considerable one.” During his evidence, Humphreys said he had taken advantage of a vulnerable young person. The abuse occurred between 1983 and 1986 in Medina and Quinns Rocks when Humphreys was assistant priest at a church. Defence lawyer Seamus Rafferty said his client was struggling to deal with his homosexuality at the time of the abuse. He said his client had little exposure to the “real world” and was immature. “That is not surprising given Father Humphreys entered the seminary at 17 years,” he said. “He is an immature man. “He is deeply remorseful of his conduct and I mean deeply.” Humphreys moved to Perth in January 1983 after a stint at an Eastern States school. He assaulted the boy in Perth in the church’s presbytery and in a bathroom at a nearby primary school. Humphreys admitted to kissing, hugging and engaging in mutual masturbation with the boy in the mid 90s. His victim lives overseas but flew to Perth to give evidence during the trial. During the trial, he described the abuse as “highly traumatising” and said it left him confused and shocked. He told the court the abuse made him physically sick at times. Humphreys will be eligible for parole in 11 months.
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