Priest's Early Plea "Very Unusual"
Stuff
A Blenheim priest who has admitted an indecent assault is the first case of a clergyman pleading guilty at the first opportunity, the head of sexual-abuse charity says. Alastair Aidan Kay, 71, pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault on a male over 16. Kay was stood down from St Mary's parish in Blenheim after a complaint was made to police about an incident on July 15. He made his first appearance in the Blenheim District Court yesterday morning. Defence lawyer Rob Harrison asked the conviction not be entered so Kay could go through a restorative justice programme. This would involve a meeting between the offender and victim to work out a way forward. Kay sat in the public gallery at the back of the court until his case was called. Dressed in a green jersey and dark trousers, he looked unwell. He was supported by two members of the St Mary's congregation. Harrison had asked the judge to bar television cameras from filming in court, but the judge declined. Judge Peter Hobbs also declined name and image suppression, saying they had already been published by the media. The judge remanded Kay on bail with the condition he reside at his Blenheim address and not make contact with the victim unless for the purpose of restorative justice. He is to reappear in court on October 20. Kay left the courtroom immediately after his case was heard and went to formalise his bail conditions before leaving the courthouse and speaking briefly to waiting journalists. Outside, Kay told One News he had not been in contact with the victim or his family, and said he was "anxious that they not be affected or harmed by all of this". Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse national manager Ken Clearwater said Kay's early plea was significant. "It is very unusual, especially from a priest. I was very surprised. I have dealt with several cases of clerical abuse. This is the first [priest] to acknowledge what he has done at the first opportunity. I take my hat off to him, he has behaved in a respectful way. It has saved the victim having to go through a horrendous court trial." The Marlborough Express understands the offence was at the lower end of the scale. "It is a simple fact it was a violation from a clergyman in a position of power. There is no lower end of the scale," Clearwater said. Restorative justice should be survivor-driven, he said. "If a victim is religious, the person will be brought up to forgive. A real restorative justice process is an understanding of the process." St Mary's associate parish priest Father Pat McIndoe said Kay did not wish to comment further. "It has been a shock for us. We feel for all people concerned," McIndoe said. Wellington Archbishop John Dew said, "The court process is ongoing as the judge determines the appropriate sentence. "As such, we cannot discuss the case while it continues through the courts, and our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and we continue to provide support to the Blenheim parish community."
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