Salvation Army church member William Steele found guilty of historical child sex offences

By Irena Ceranic
ABC News
April 30, 2017

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-27/salvation-army-church-member-guilty-historical-child-sex-abuse/8472620

William Edward Steele was found guilty of child sex offences dating back more than 50 years.

A 73-year-old former Salvation Army church member, who a Perth court heard had a hidden sexual desire for teenage boys, has been found guilty of child sex offences dating back more than 50 years.

In a majority verdict, a District Court jury convicted William Edwin Steele of eight offences including indecently dealing with a child under 14.

The victims were five boys aged between 11 and 18.

The offences happened over a 27-year period from 1963 to 1990 at various places, including a room at the back of the Salvation Army church in Subiaco and a fruit and vegetable market where he worked as the general manager.

Steele, who has a wife and four children, committed the first offence a year before he got married.

During the trial, prosecutor Craig Astill told the court Steele hid an underlying sexual desire towards teenage boys, and although some of the boys were at the age of consent "none of the conduct was consensual or sought-after".

Steele was bailed and is due to be sentenced on June 23.

A pre-sentence and psychological report will be prepared prior to sentencing.