By a Broken Rites researcher

• Article updated 17 July 2013

A former Catholic priest (aged 60 in May 2013), who used to work in parishes in the New England region in northern New South Wales, is making a series of court appearances during 2013, charged with having committed multiple sex crimes against seven boys (from the Moree parish) and against three girls (from elsewhere in New South Wales).

These charges relate only to those alleged victims who have contacted a special team of detectives (named Strike Force Glenroe) in the NSW Police. The detectives would like to hear from any more persons who have information about this matter.

On 17 July 1013, 13 additional charges were filed in court, increasing the total number of charges to 137. The additional charges were relating to alleged assaults against a boy, aged 12 to 14, between 1981 and 1984 in Moree.

Background

The town of Armidale is merely where the bishop and the cathedral are situated (and it is also the town where the arrested ex-priest was living, as a private citizen, after he ceased working in parishes some years ago).

First charges: girls

At the 18 October 2012 hearing, Magistrate Mark Richardson rejected the man's bail application and ordered him to remain in custody until the case would come up for mention again later in 2012.

On 7 November 2012, in Armidale Local Court, the defendant appeared via audio visual link from the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Silverwater.

He offered his Armidale house, valued at $230,000, as a surety, as well as $10,000 cash. His brother and sister would contribute $5000 each in order for bail to be granted.

Magistrate Richardson granted bail with strict conditions after determining that the accused would spend too much time in custody while waiting for a trial, as the preparations for a trial would take a long time to complete.

As part of his bail conditions, the man was prohibited from visiting the town of Armidale except for medical reasons or court appearances and must report to a police station three times a week.

He was banned from school grounds and associating with people aged 16 and under. He is not allowed to approach his accusers or other prosecution witnesses, including through a third party.

Altar boys

The six alleged victims were all altar boys at the More parish at the time of the alleged offences.

The man was also charged with not having approved storage for a firearm.

The man was granted conditional bail pending his next court appearance on these charges.

Name suppressed

For legal reasons, courts frequently make this kind of non-publication order, especially at the earliest hearing in the prosecution process. Such an order can be reviewed later when the prosecution process is further advanced.

At the January 2013 file-hearing, Crown prosecutor Peter Woods applied for the name-suppression order to be lifted, in view of the laying of the charges relating to the altar boys. He said that the limited media coverage had directly led to new alleged victims coming forward.

"Victims are encouraged and supported and that is in the public interest," he said. "Many of the new victims are now in their 40s and living all across Australia."

But the ex-priest's defence lawyer argued that any media coverage would prejudice a fair trial. He also raised concerns for the safety of his client.

At the January 2013 hearing, Magistrate Karen Stafford ruled that the name-suppression order would remain until further notice.

On 20 February 2013, the case came up again for mention in the same court. This time, the court separated the boys' case from the girls' case. The court scheduled the boys' case for mention on a future date and the girls' case for mention on a different date.

Fresh charges, May 2013

The fresh charges included 11 counts of sexual intercourse without consent, 52 counts of indecent assault and one count of committing an act of indecency. The new offences brought the total number of charges against the man to 124, relating to seven boys and five girls.

While a non-publication order on the man's name would remain in effect for the earlier charges, Prosecutor Peter Woods requested that publication of the defendant's name should be allowed for the May 2013 charges. He said that publication of the man's name would prompt any other alleged victims (or people with information) to contact the detectives.

This application was opposed by the man's lawyer.

Magistrate Karen Stafford said she would issue an interim non-publication order on the fresh charges until the man's next court appearance, when the order could be reviewed.

New charges, July 2013

Magistrate Karen Stafford adjourned the matter until 4 September 2013. She said that when the matter returned to court she would consider whether to lift an order suppressing the name of the defendant.(The names of victims are never allowed to be published.)

Investigation continues

NSW State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of experienced detectives dedicated to investigating crimes of a sexual nature, regardless of the passage of time. Any person who has been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, is encouraged to contact police. One way of doing this is by telephoning Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.