Police have charged a former priest over alleged historical sexual assaults in the state’s central-west.
In 2008, Strike Force Belle was formed by detectives from Chifley Police District to investigate the alleged sexual and indecent assaults of students at two secondary colleges in Bathurst between 1960 and 1993.
“This is the 14th priest or former priest to be charged by Strike Force Belle, and as inquiries continue, detectives urge anyone with information to contact investigators,” NSW Police said in a statement this morning.
“Last year, strike force detectives received a report of the alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old boy in the mid 80’s.”
Following inquiries, officers from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad attended a home in Randwick yesterday and arrested an 85-year-old former priest.
He was taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years and three counts of sexual intercourse – person 10 and under 16 under authority.
The man was bail refused and was remanded to re-appear at Waverly Court today.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Belle detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
