Brother to Face Court in Newcastle

ABC News
February 12, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-13/brother-to-face-court-in-newcastle/6090280

A victim of an alleged paedophile priest extradited from New Zealand has applauded a decision to move his court proceedings from Sydney to Newcastle.

Police began investigating Catholic Brother Bernard Kevin McGrath in 2010.

After years of calling for his extradition, police finally brought the 67 year old back from New Zealand just before Christmas.

He is facing 252 child sex charges relating to the alleged abuse of 35 boys in the Lake Macquarie region near Newcastle in the 1970's and 80's.

Up until now his court proceedings have been in Sydney, but yesterday the matter was moved to Newcastle.

One of the Brother's alleged victims has told the ABC it is a good outcome.

"Oh well I reckon it is better off being brought back to where it happened so he can face the music in the area," he said.

"Oh yeah you remember and you remember a lot more things as time goes by but to me it is good to see that he is actually finally, finally going to be brought to justice."

McGrath is due back in court next month.