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Former Catholic Priest Vincent Gerard Ryan Given Suspended Sentence for Sex Offences against Boy

By Antoinette Lattouf
ABC News
October 13, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-14/former-hunter-priest-vincent-ryan-sentenced-for-sex-abuse/7932008

PHOTO: Convicted paedophile Vincent Gerard Ryan, who worked in the Hunter region for decades. (ABC News: Antoinette Lattouf)

Former Catholic priest Vincent Gerard Ryan pleads guilty to sex offences against boy, aged 13 to 15 at the time

Ryan has already served a 14-year sentence for other sex offences, with his psychologist noting he is "fully rehabilitated"

Judge gives Ryan a suspended 15-month sentence

The former Catholic priest pleaded guilty to acts of gross indecency and attempting sexual intercourse with a boy at a church in Gresford near Dungong, when he was parish priest.

His victim was an altar boy in training, aged between 13 and 15, when the abuse occurred.

The acts include Ryan forcing his penis into the boy's mouth, masturbating him and attempting to penetrate him.

Another four charges were dropped, as was a two-week trial, when the 78-year-old pleaded guilty to these charges in April.

'Difficult decision' to suspend sentence, judge says

In handing down his sentence at Darlinghurst Courthouse, Acting Judge Norman Delaney said it was a "very difficult decision".

He referred to a report from a psychologist who has been treating Ryan for the past six years which states: "[The offender] is fully rehabilitated" and "has shown sorrow and remorse".

And while conceding the charges were serious, Judge Delaney said they sat "at the lower end of criminality".

He also noted the 14-year sentence already served by Ryan for similar child sexual abuse that occurred in the same decade.

Judge Delaney said Ryan does not remember this particular victim, given the abuse was so similar to what he carried out against dozens of others the same age.

Flagged by two supporters as he left the court, Ryan declined to comment to the ABC.

'He is very relieved', Ryan's friend says

His friend Tom Campbell said: "He is very relieved".

"I have supported him for 20 years and I'm glad I don't have to visit him in jail anymore."

In 2010, Ryan was released from Long Bay after serving a 14-year prison sentence for a string of sexual assaults against 35 boys between 1973 and 1991.

His victims were aged between six and 14.

In August, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse hearing in Newcastle investigated abuse at the hands of Ryan, who worked in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese for decades.

The commission heard the diocese was made aware of abuse allegations against Ryan in the mid 70s but police were not notified until two decades later.

 

 

 

 

 




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