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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Verdicts have been returned
in the High Court trial in Christchurch of former St John of God brother
Bernard McGrath. The 58-year-old has
been found guilty on 21 charges and not guilty on 23 charges of historical
sex abuse against boys at Marylands School in Christchurch in the 1970s. He has been remanded in
custody and will be sentenced on April 27. While summing up,
Justice Chisolm reminded the jury of some disparities highlighted by the
defence between the time some of the complainants say they were abused and
when McGrath stopped teaching. Jurors went out to
deliberate on their verdict at midday on Monday. At 33 hours, this is one of
the longest recesses for a jury in Christchurch court history. At one point, the jury
did return to ask Justice Chisholm to clarify when another brother taught at
the school and how it related to the accused's time at the school. After 30 hours of
deliberations the jury came back to ask Justice Chisholm what would happen if
they fail to reach verdicts on all the charges. |
