Canberra priest Edward Evans says he only touched girl in 'a sign of affection', court hears

By Elizabeth Byrne
7 News
March 31, 2015

https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/26879807/canberra-priest-edward-evans-says-he-only-touched-girl-in-a-sign-of-affection-court-hears/

The trial of a former priest on charges of molesting a girl in the 1990s in Canberra has heard the man admitted in a police interview to touching the girl, but that the incidents were not of a sexual nature.

Edward Evans, 85, is facing six charges of committing acts of indecency against the girl when she was aged between 10 and 13.

Most of the allegations relate to incidents in his house, often when other people were nearby.

Evans is alleged to have touched the girl inappropriately several times, including when he was sitting beside her at a dining table.

The alleged victim head earlier told the court that during the first incident Evans allegedly put his hand inside her pants when other people were nearby.

The court had heard Evan's religious duties were withdrawn, and the local parishes informed after the allegations surfaced.

During a police interview played to the jury today, Evans conceded he had touched the girl.

"I admit I touched her bottom," he said.

"It was not a sexual act, it was a sign of affection.

"I did not know at the time it was a sexual crime in Australia."

Evans could not give the police a detailed account of when the first incident happened.

"I know it happened two or three times, I admit it, I do not know when," he told police.

"You know we have memories we put behind us ... I thought she had forgiven me, since the family friendship continued.

"I agree I should not have done it. That's why I tried to avoid her."

The trial is continuing.