Christian brother denies child-sex charges

By Margaret Scheikowski
7 News
August 16, 2016

https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/32349003/christian-brother-denies-child-sex-charges/#page1

A Christian brother accused of sexually abusing a student decades ago was invited to his 21st and played the organ at his wedding, a judge has been told.

Christopher Rafferty, 65, has pleaded not guilty in the District Court in Sydney to six sex offences from when the boy was aged 14 until he was 16.

They allegedly occurred in the mid-1980s at St Patrick's College at the NSW town of Goulburn.

In the crown opening at the judge-alone trial on Tuesday, prosecutor Lou Lungo said the complainant alleged Rafferty rubbed himself up against him during one-to-one piano accordion lessons.

He is also accused of sex acts involving the boy, that ended when he was "a bit older and knew what the accused was doing was wrong" and he kept away from Rafferty, Mr Lungo said.

A few years after complaining to his wife of the abuse, his mental health deteriorated and she rang Rafferty, Mr Lungo said.

She told him: "you have ruined my life" to which Rafferty allegedly replied: "How much money would you like?".

"She said the accused also agreed not to teach any more," Mr Lungo said.

But Rafferty's QC Philip Dunn said the school timetable, the layout of the music room and the dormitories made it "impossible for the allegations to have taken place".

After being transferred to another school, Rafferty had returned for the Year 12 farewell where he renewed his acquaintance with many people including the complainant.

From time to time, they caught up and Rafferty was invited to his 21st birthday party and was introduced to his wife-to-be, with whom he had "some difficulties", the QC said.

"He attended their wedding, played the organ and stayed in a hotel for which they paid," he said.

Rafferty maintained contact and did get a phone call from the wife in about 2004 when she said her life had been ruined.

He denied any sexual assault, but made authorities aware of the complaints, and in a second phone call had referred the woman to a Catholic help centre.

The trial is continuing.