Former Catholic brother faces 252 child sex assault charges

By Lema Samandar
Daily Telegraph
December 24, 2014

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/former-catholic-brother-faces-252-child-sex-assault-charges/story-fni0cx4q-1227166122029

A FORMER Catholic brother has been extradited from New Zealand after he was charged with 252 child sexual assault offences.

Bernard McGrath, 67, was extradited from New Zealand overnight and was taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged.

He appeared briefly at Parramatta Local Court today.

He will spend Christmas behind bars and is expected to make a bail application during his next court appearance on January 29.

Strike Force Lozano, comprising detectives from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, was formed to investigate allegations of multiple child sexual assault offences committed in the 1970s and 1980s at a school near Morisset.

In November 2011, Lake Macquarie detectives began extradition proceedings against McGrath living in Christchurch.

The High Court in New Zealand last week authorised McGrath’s extradition to Sydney.