Former Priest Faces Court

Armidale Express
July 16, 2013

http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/1641637/former-priest-faces-court/?cs=471

A FORMER priest facing historic child sex abuse charges will appear in Armidale Local Court today.

The 59-year-old man, who cannot be named under a non-publication order, is facing 125 child sex abuse charges, of which 61 relate to the alleged sexual abuse of three girls and six boys during the 1970s and 1980s.

A further 64 offences relate to the alleged abuse of a further two girls and one altar boy in Moree and Armidale in the early 1980s.

The man’s bail conditions prevent him from visiting Armidale except for legal or medical reasons.

He is also forbidden to approach Crown witnesses, his accusers or people aged under 16.

At his last appearance, Magistrate Karen Stafford said she would consider lifting the gag on all 125 charges.

The first tranche of charges was laid by Strike Force Glenroe in July last year to investigate allegations of sexual abuse by the man.

He has also been charged with not having approved store for a firearm. The defendent is yet to enter a plea.