Priest Discharged on Indecent Assault Count

TVNZ
November 9, 2014

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/priest-discharged-indecent-assault-count-6126462

[with video]

An elderly Blenheim priest who pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault has been discharged without conviction and ordered to pay $1500 in reparations for emotional harm.

Father Aidan Kay must pay $1000 today and the rest by December.

Judge Bruce Davidson said Kay's offence was at the low level of offending and the former priest was discharged without conviction by a narrow margin.

The court heard on the July 15 2014, the 17-year-old male victim was staying at the local Catholic presbytery. Kay, 71, was helping the teen and his family deal with issues.

In the evening, Kay and the victim had dinner together. At the end of the evening, Kay stood up and hugged him. He then slid his hands down his trousers to the back of his underwear and kissed the victim.

Judge Davidson said it was a breach of trust of the victim, family and community.

He said the family is religious and has been impacted by the media coverage of the case.

Kay has been removed from his duties as a priest and suspended for his future.

Kay's lawyer said a conviction could weigh upon Kay's intention to travel to Australia to return to the Passionist brotherhood.

Throughout the day, Kay was supported by a large number of supporters in the public gallery from his former parish St Mary's Catholic church.