BishopAccountability.org

Catholic Priest not guilty of molesting Wollongong student in 1980s

By Nick Mclaren
ABC News
December 9, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-09/catholic-priest-not-guilty-of-molesting-wollongong-student/7014482

Father Patrick Kervin, also known as Father Pat (centre with blue tie) leaves Albion Park Local Court, Friday October 16, 2015

A Catholic Priest has been found not-guilty of an alleged historical indecent assault at a Wollongong school in the 1980s.

58-year-old Father Patrick Kervin served as a school counsellor, chaplain and teacher at Holy Spirit in Bellambi where it was alleged the assault occurred on the then 15-year-old boy.

The case came to light as a result of the former student detailing his molestation to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

It was then referred the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and concluded at Kiama District Court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Susan McGowan found Father Kervin not guilty, but denied an application from his solicitor for the DPP to pay costs.

In summing up, Magistrate McGowan said the former student had been generally credible in his evidence, but pointed to inconsistencies and found the evidence couldn't meet the required standard of beyond reasonable doubt needed for a criminal trial.

Father Kervin was previously found guilty in April 2013 of using a carriage service to access child pornography.

He received an 18 month suspended sentence at the time.




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