AUSTRALIA
The Guardian
Australian Associated Press
Tuesday 1 December 2015
Police wrongly decided a Melbourne priest had committed no crime when he indecently assaulted a 10-year-old girl during confession, an inquiry has heard.
Victoria police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said he disagreed with the 1990 conclusion there were “nil offences disclosed”.
“I’m of the view that there certainly was an indecent assault that was committed and it should have proceeded further,” he told the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.
Julie Stewart has told the inquiry Doveton parish priest Fr Peter Searson indecently assaulted her during confession in 1985.
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