A FORMER Catholic priest has been charged with an additional 64 offences last Wednesday, 8 May in Armidale Local Court, bringing the total number of offences to 125.
The 59-year-old man faced Armidale Local Court on charges relating to alleged child-sex offences against six boys and three girls in the 1970s and 1980s.
During his appearance, the man was additionally charged with 64 offences relating to alleged assaults against one boy and two girls, aged from nine to 19, between 1982 and 1985 in Moree, Narrabri, Inverell and Armidale.
They include 11 counts of sexual intercourse without consent; 52 counts of indecent assault; and one count of committing an act of indecency.
The man will reappear at Armidale Local Court on 17 July.
Crown prosecutor Peter Woods asked the court to lift the non-publication order protecting the man’s identity.
Magistrate Karen Stafford issued an interim non-publication order until the former priest’s next court appearance on 17 July.
The new charges follow ongoing investigations by Strike Force Glenroe which was established in July last year and comprises detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad and the New England and Barwon Local Area Commands.
Strike Force Glenroe investigations are ongoing and detectives urge anyone with information to assist them to come forward.
Anyone with information about sexual abuse should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence. People are reminded they should not report crime information via Facebook and Twitter pages.
