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Otago Daily Times
July 3, 2003
Alleged sex-abuse victim charged
NZPA
Christchurch: Sexual abuse allegations against a
former Catholic brother at St John of God's Marylands School have taken a new
twist, with police charging one of the alleged victims with making a false
complaint.
Justin Todd Richardson, a 34-year-old foundry worker, appeared in the
Christchurch District Court yesterday on charges of making a false complaint
of sodomy and indecent assault, in a written statement to a constable.
He has also been charged with obtaining "a pastoral gesture" of
$95,000 from St John of God by a false pretence - alleging that he had been
sexually abused by the brothers when a pupil at the school.
Police have charged former brother Bernard Kevin McGrath (56), with
committing sexual offences against 18 boys at the school between 1968 and
1984.
Richardson
appeared before Judge Graeme Noble yesterday and was remanded on bail for a
week.
In reply to the judge's questioning, police prosecutor Vanessa Sugrue said
police would allege $85,000 of the money paid to Richardson had been spent since it was paid
out six weeks ago. Police were trying to recover the remaining $10,000.
The judge said he would leave its recovery "to the persuasiveness of the
officer in charge".
Richardson must
report once a week to the Christchurch Central Police Station while on bail
and surrender his passport.
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