Former Nsw School Principal Sentenced to Jail for Indecent Assault

By Giselle Wakatama
ABC News
July 23, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-23/former-nsw-principal-sentenced-to-jail-for-indecent-assault/6642536

A former Catholic school principal has been sentenced to 18 months' jail for indecently assaulting a Hunter Valley school boy.

Peter Pemble, 67, sexually abused the boy at Maitland's Marist Brothers' High School in the early 1970s.

He went on to become principal at St Gregory's college in Campbelltown in western Sydney.

Pemble's victim told the court the abuse left his life in tatters, causing anxiety and fear.

Newcastle District Court Judge Peter Berman noted that he must impose a sentence in line with the time the offence was committed.

He took into account two other offences while sentencing the former principal to 18 months' jail with a nine-month non-parole period.

The court heard Pemble disclosed the abuse to church officials in Rome three decades ago, but Judge Berman said all those made aware of it apparently did nothing about it.

The judge said prison was the right place for offenders like Pemble, but did note that he would do it tough, telling the court: "Prison is a nasty place at the best of times. It is a place for young men, not 67-year-olds."

Pemble pursed his lips and glanced at his victim as he was led away.

The Marist Brothers' Province of Australia released a statement apologising to the victim and his family for the suffering the abuse caused.

"While nothing can undo the harm done, we will provide him with ongoing support and redress," Brother Jeffrey Crowe said.