Court hears of massive brief in child abuse case against Catholic brother

ABC News
October 7, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-07/court-hears-of-massive-brief-in-child-abuse-case-against-cathol/6833318

Bernard Kevin McGrath was extradited from New Zealand last year to face 252 child sex offences.

Newcastle local court has heard the brief of evidence in the case against a Catholic brother, accused of hundreds of child sex offences, is now more than 9,000 pages long.

Bernard Kevin McGrath was extradited from New Zealand last year to face 252 child sex offences, alleged to have happened in the Lake Macquarie region in the 1970s.

McGrath faced court today via video link, dressed in prison greens and showing no emotion.

The court heard McGrath has recently changed lawyers, with his new solicitor expressing concern about the size of the brief of evidence.

She said she is at a slight disadvantage having only recently taken on the case.

The court heard a trial is likely to last at least six months.

The matter has been adjourned for two weeks, returning to court on October 21 for committal.