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  Chch Catholic Priest to Stand Trial over Sexual Abuse

The Press
September 11, 2007

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/4198206a6009.html

Almost all details of a depositions hearing on historic sexual abuse allegations against a Catholic priest were suppressed today when the 59-year-old man was committed for trial.

Confronted with the long series of suppression orders, Christchurch District Court Judge John Bisphan opted to detail the facts that the media would be allowed to print.

His order blocks publication of any of the evidence given at today's hearing, or handed to the judge in written form.

It also prohibits publication of any of the discussion that took place during the half-day hearing.

Father Raymond John Garchow was committed for trial and was remanded on bail to a pre-trial conference in the district court on October 26.

Garchow faces four charges alleging sexual abuse while he was employed at the St John of God order's Marylands special school in the 1970s.

The details of the charges are suppressed, but the judge permitted publication of the fact that they involved two complainants.

Crown prosecutor Kerryn Beaton presented evidence from six witnesses. Five of them were handed to the judge in written form, and the sixth gave evidence in person.

Rob Harrison, of Auckland, appeared as defence counsel.

An order prohibiting publication of images of Garchow has been in place since last year.

Another former Marylands brother was committed for trial after a depositions hearing last week.

 
 

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