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Catholic priest charged over historical indecent assault, NSW

Police have charged a Catholic priest over alleged historical indecent assaults at a Southern Highlands college.

In July of 2018, detectives attached to The Hume Police District working under Strike Force Caber, commenced investigations into allegations of sexual and indecent assaults at a Burradoo boarding institution during the 1980s.

Following inquiries, Southern Highlands detectives attended a Kensington home yesterday morning (Friday 12 April 2019), where they arrested a 77-year-old man and took him to Maroubra Police Station.

He was charged with nine offences including sexual assault – assault & act of indecency, sexual assault – assault & act of indecency person under 16 (x6), gross indecency by male with male under 18 years (x2).

Police will allege between 1982 and 1988, the Catholic priest – who managed a dormitory at the Southern Highlands college, as well as being a rugby coach and band teacher – indecently assaulted five children, who were at the time aged between 12 and 15.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 22 May 2019.

The NSW Police Force encourage anyone who has been victim to, or have information about incidents of child abuse to come forward, and are reminded all information provided is treated with the strictest of confidence.

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