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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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Otago Daily Times
February 6, 2004

Former brother for trial on sex charges
NZPA

Christchurch: A former St John of God brother has been committed for trial on eight sex abuse charges after a depositions hearing in the Christchurch District Court yesterday.

Justices of the Peace John O'Hara and Marie Fahey said the man, whose name is suppressed, was not required to appear for a High Court pre-trial hearing on March 5.

He was remanded on bail and allowed to travel back to his home in Queensland.

He had returned voluntarily to New Zealand to face charges involving five former pupils at Marylands Special School in Halswell, Christchurch.

They included one of sodomy, three of inducing an indecent act and four of indecent assault.

A video link to Sydney allowed Brother Peter Burke, Australian and New Zealand head of the order, to participate in the hearing yesterday and a former worker at the St John of God Hospital was also questioned during the link.

The defendant was at the St John of God institution in the 1960s and 70s. He was seconded to the order's nearby hospital after a short time at the Marylands school.

Crown prosecutor Karen South said one alleged victim, now 44, stated the defendant sodomised him and forced him to perform oral sex. Another said he had been forced to fondle the man's genitals. -