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Allegations of Abuse in Institutions |
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A retired Catholic brother charged last August with
indecently assaulting a school pupil 20 years ago has pleaded guilty. Andrew Cody, 67, and in poor health, lives in Upper Hutt.
He admitted in Upper Hutt District Court yesterday three charges of indecent
assault and one of permitting an indecent act. The offences involved a 15-year-old boy at Hato Paora
College, a Maori boys Catholic school at Feilding, in 1984. The guilty pleas
were an 11th-hour deal in return for other charges being withdrawn. The case was set to go to trial after police and Cody's
lawyer, Paul Surridge, could not agree on the charges, causing delays since
August. Cody was accompanied in court by three members of a
Catholic support group. Judge Pat Grace further remanded Cody on bail till
sentencing in July at Wellington District Court, continuing conditions that
he not accompany a person under 17 without adult supervision or try to
contact the complainant. Judge Grace warned Cody that continued bail should not be
taken as an indication of the likely outcome of sentencing. "All options must be open to the sentencing
judge." |
