Armidale's Court Drama in the Case of a Defrocked Priest Facing Historic Child Sexual Abuse Charges

By Samantha-jo Harris
Armidale Express
October 23, 2014

http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/2646235/armidales-court-drama-in-the-case-of-a-defrocked-priest-facing-historic-child-sexual-abuse-charges/?cs=12

THE committal of a defrocked priest has heard one alleged victim of historic child sexual abuse told his mother “he raped me too”.

On Wednesday Armidale Local Court heard how the man, who was in court to be cross-examined, discovered the allegations against the former priest after he heard about it on the radio.

In a statement made to police in early 2013 the man claimed the “mongrel from Moree” had assaulted him when he was an altar boy in the early 1980s.

The complainant, his mother and partner were in court to be cross-examined about their evidence to see if they would give evidence at the trial.

Magistrate Karen Stafford allowed the cross-examination to start, saying there were “inconsistencies in the statements” and the fact the allegations were from a recovered memory.

But the hearing was delayed after the Crown prosecutor Peter Woods was rushed to hospital with chest pain.

Just after lunch, Mr Woods said he was “feeling flat” before he left the courtroom clutching his chest.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance for observation.

The former priest, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing 76 historic child sex offences and pleaded guilty to 45 of those charges when the matter was before the court in August.

At the start of the committal defence counsel Hament Dhanji had asked three further witnesses be required to give evidence, including a detective senior constable.

Magistrate Stafford will consider the application next week and make her decision in chambers before the committal resumes on November 18.