AUSTRALIA
7 News
Andi Yu – AAP on September 7, 2016
A man who was sexually abused by a Maronite priest when he was a teenager has looked his abuser in the eye and told him he forgives him.
The priest, 40, was accused of indecently assaulting the victim in 2005 and pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty by a jury earlier this year.
At the end of an emotional victim impact statement at the Parramatta District Court on Thursday, the victim, now 26, asked a defence lawyer to move aside so he could look directly at the offender.
“I swear to God, I forgive you,” he said.
The court heard the priest gave the victim, then 15, a lift home in his car at the parents’ request and on the way he fell asleep.
He awoke to the priest holding his penis.
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