(MALTA)
Times of Malta [Mriehel Malta]
August 6, 2023
By Jessica Arena
Jesmond Gauci’s lawyer says his presence in the studio was a ‘one-off’
A former priest who was convicted of violent indecent assault against a minor has been filmed hosting a children’s radio programme on a parish radio station.
Jesmond Gauci, from Xagħra, featured in a radio broadcast for the parish radio station, where he produced a religious programme aimed at children with the participation of other children and adolescents present with him in the studio. He currently serves as Radju Bambina’s programmes’ manager.
The broadcast in which he appears to host a programme accompanied by two adolescents, two young children and an adult woman, was streamed on the Xagħra parish’s Facebook page on April 6.
Gauci was suspended from the priesthood in 2014 when he was accused of committing sexual offences against three underage girls. The behaviour was brought to light after the grandmother of one of the girls had confided in the Gozo bishop, who, in turn, filed a police report.
One girl, who was 13 years old at the time of the incident, reported that Gauci had assaulted her while on her parents’ boat, touching her breasts and genitals. A second incident was described in which the girl said Gauci hugged and groped her during a family barbecue, where she pushed him away.
The second victim had said that Gauci pestered her by sending flirty text messages or through Facebook and alleged that he had tried to kiss her during confession, while the third victim has also spoken of an incident in which Gauci fondled her.The sentence handed down to Gauci in 2017 did not preclude him from being in the presence of minors– Jesmond Gauci’s lawyer Marsette Portelli
The court subsequently sentenced Gauci to a one-year jail term suspended for three years in 2017 with the education ministry also withdrawing his teaching warrant following the sentence.
Lawyer: Studio presence was ‘one-off’
Replying to questions sent by Times of Malta on behalf of Gauci, lawyer Marsette Portelli said that his presence in the studio was a one-off occasion and that all the minors present on that occasion were accompanied by their parents. She also clarified that the sentence handed down to Gauci in 2017 did not preclude him from being in the presence of minors.
Gauci, she explained, holds a technical role managing the radio station’s software, work he typically carries out from home. On this occasion, Gauci was needed in the studio as there was no counterpart to present in person. She added that Gauci’s role did not involve him interviewing nor speaking to the minors and not only was another adult present in the room with him but the broadcast was also streamed live on Facebook.
Parishioner: ‘Parish implies it will protect aggressors’
One parishioner, who asked not to be named, said it was disappointing to see the parish seemingly embracing Gauci and allowing him to come into contact with children despite his past conviction.
“While I fully understand the importance of rehabilitation after someone has paid for their crimes, the Church’s attitude in Xagħra consistently sends a message through which it implies that it will protect aggressors and blame victims.
“This is one of several cases where the aggressor was given a role within the same setting where they committed the crime, whereas the victim and their supportive families become isolated within the Church and the community. The message to those considering reporting their aggressors is that, even if the courts find their aggressors guilty of violent sexual assault, they will never be able to lead a normal life within the community and they will forever keep having to face their aggressors who meanwhile were given powerful positions within the Church.”
In reply to questions sent by Times of Malta, the Gozo diocese said the issue had been passed on to the Safeguarding of Minors Gozo, which is in the process of verifying information.