NEW ZEALAND
Radio New Zealand
A Marlborough priest will face internal disciplinary action from the Catholic Church after he was discharged without conviction for indecently assaulting a teenage boy.
Alastair Aidan Kay, 71, appeared in the Blenheim District Court today after pleading guilty at an earlier appearance.
Judge Bruce Davidson told the court his decision was a close call.
“In my view, the offence in itself is of lowish-level seriousness. By the narrowest of margins, I am prepared to exercise my discretion,” he said.
“I find that the consequences of conviction are out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence and I exercise my residual discretion to discharge you without conviction.”
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