Child Sex Offence Case against Adf Bishop Max Davis Adjourned

By Joanna Menagh
ABC News
October 17, 2014

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-17/case-against-adf-bishop-on-child-sex-cases-adjourned/5821926

PHOTO: Bishop Max Davis has stood aside from his defence force duties while the case is heard. (Department of Defence)

MAP: Perth 6000

The case against Australian Defence Force (ADF) Bishop Max Davis, accused of child sex offences in Western Australia 45 years ago, has been adjourned until next year.

Davis was facing three charges of indecent treatment of a 13 year-old boy in 1969, when he was a teacher at Saint Benedict's College in New Norcia, north-east of Perth.

The alleged offences occurred two years before he was ordained as a priest.

A previous court hearing was told Davis would be pleading not guilty.

In the Perth Magistrates Court today prosecutors successfully applied for the case to be adjourned until January next year.

Davis was not required to attend the hearing, but the court heard he had reported to a police station in the Australian Capital Territory, where he was living.

He was also excused from attending next year's hearing.

Davis has stood aside from his duties with the ADF while the case is before the courts.

Davis is believed to be the most senior Catholic Church official to face child sex charges.