Catholic Brother Bernard Hartman Charged over Alleged Child Sex Offences

By James Dowling
Herald Sun
September 4, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/catholic-brother-arrested-at-melbourne-airport-over-alleged-child-sex-offences/story-fni0fee2-1226710446879

[with video]

AN AMERICAN Catholic brother has been charged with a series of alleged historical sex offences in Melbourne schools.

Police arrested Brother Bernard Hartman, 73, at Melbourne Airport this morning over the alleged offences between 1976 and 1982.

Brother Hartman has been charged with 14 counts of indecent assault.

He is expected to face court this afternoon.

The offences are alleged to have occurred at Catholic schools in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Detectives from Taskforce SANO alleged there were a number of victims both male and female who were aged between eight and 16 at the time, said police spokeswoman Julie-Anne Newman.

The Order of Mary brother was believed to be working with the order in the US until recently.

Taskforce SANO detective Sen-Sgt Michael Dwyer said the Melbourne catholic archdiocese was "instrumental" in assisting police in the investigation.

Taskforce SANO was set up in response to the child sex abuse inquiry.