Royal commission names guilty former Marist Brother
By David Ellery
Sydney Morning Herald
June 10, 2014
http://www.smh.com.au/act-news/royal-commission-names--guilty-former-marist-brother-20140610-zs2l1.html
The suppression order protecting the identity of former Marist Brother Gregory Sutton found guilty of child abuse in 1996 has been lifted.
Sutton has been known as ZA since 1996, but the order was lifted following an application to the NSW District Court by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse sitting in Canberra.
Sutton's lawyer, Greg Walsh, applied to have his client's identity kept secret on the basis it could cause psychological damage as well as putting Sutton at risk of physical harm.
Commissioner Justice Jennifer Coate ruled against the application. She said the issues raised had not been sufficient to shift the balance away from the obligation for a clear and open inquiry.
Justice Coate did however grant an application for a suppression order on medical evidence that could disclose Sutton's current address.
Sutton pleaded guilty to 67 charges of child sexual abuse on November 8, 1996.
He was sentenced to 18 years jail with a 12 year non-parole period.
Sutton was released in 2008 and now lives in the community.
Earlier, Mr Walsh told the commission Sutton had 10 years under strict "no contact" provisions at Goulburn Jail before being transferred to a Long Bay based rehabilitation program.
He said Sutton's wife had been diagnosed with cancer and was currently in remission.
Contact: david.ellery@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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