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  Meredith Priest on Child Porn Charges

By Daniel Breen
Geelong Advertiser
February 20, 2008

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/02/20/11554_news.html

MEREDITH Catholic priest John Haines has been charged over a series of alleged indecent acts with children.

Police raided Fr Haines' home last Friday, seizing images of children before taking him in for questioning at Colac police station.

He was later charged with possession of child pornography, transmitting child pornography, procuring a child for child pornography, attempting to procure a child for child pornography, two counts of indecent assault with a child under 16 and one count of indecent assault.

Fr Haines led the St Joseph's Catholic parish, which takes in Meredith and surrounding areas including Winchelsea, Bannockburn, Lethbridge, Inverleigh and Anakie, for 12 years.

He tendered his resignation to the Melbourne archdiocese following his charges. Parish council chair Diane Ritchie said the churches' local assembly was devastated by the allegations and by Fr Haines' departure.

Fr Haines will appear at Geelong Magistrates' Court on May 29.

 
 

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