Catholic brother to stand trial on 218 child sexual abuse offences

ABC News
October 21, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-21/dpp-to-withdraw-dozens-of-sexual-abuse-charges-against-catholic/6872580

Catholic brother "BM" will stand trial in the Newcastle district court, accused of 218 child sexual abuse offences.

A Catholic brother will stand trial in the Newcastle district court, accused of more than 200 child sexual abuse offences.

The man, referred to as BM for legal reasons, was extradited from New Zealand last year, accused of more than 250 offences.

They are alleged to have happened in the Lake Macquarie region in the 1970s.

He faced court today via video link, dressed in prison greens, shuffling paperwork in front of him and staring at the floor for long periods of time.

The Director of Public Prosecutions today withdrew 39 charges, meaning BM is now accused of 218 offences.

The court heard the brief of evidence is around 10,000 pages long but a smaller document, including a comprehensive set of facts, has today been tendered.

He has been committed to stand trial, with the matter adjourned to the Newcastle district court on November 19.

The court has previously been told a trial is likely to last at least six months.