Catholic priest, 79, extradited from NSW to face charges over 1990s ‘indecent assault’ in WA against girl

A frail Catholic priest has been granted bail and ordered to not work with kids after being charged with historical abuse offences against a young girl in WA. Child abuse squad detectives travelled to New South Wales and arrested the elderly man, who cannot be named, at a property in Granville after he allegedly offended against the child in 1990 while visiting WA. During his first appearance in the Perth Magistrates Court on two indecent dealing charges, the court was told the now 79-year-old was on parole after serving time behind bars for other offences when he was extradited to Perth on Tuesday. Police allege the girl involved in the WA case was just 11 years old when the man first offended. Magistrate Sarah Wisbey asked whether he had served time for a similar kind of offending, but the details of his prior offending were not read out by the prosecutor. The accused was not required to stand when his name was read out by Magistrate Wisbey. She later asked whether his health would make him unable to plead. He appeared frail and his lower lip quivered throughout his appearance, but his lawyer Callum Parker said he had not been informed of anything to suggest his health was deteriorating. Mr Parker was acting on behalf of the man’s NSW lawyer on Thursday. He was not required to enter a plea and his bail was granted on a $2000 surety and $5000 personal undertaking. His siblings were due to post the surety at a court in Sydney as he has no family in WA. Prosecutor Sergeant Dean Turner did not oppose bail. He is free to travel back to NSW, where he is to reside at his Granville home. The matter will next be heard in late March for legal advice, but he will not be required to appear in person. The accused faced Parramatta Magistrates Court on Wednesday before his extradition to WA was approved. A police spokeswoman said child abuse squad detectives located the man as part of a task force Tonalite, which was established to investigate historical abuse and referrals provided by the royal commission into institutional responses to child sex abuse. Anybody who is a victim of sexual abuse is urged by detectives to contact police on 131 444. Information can be provided anonymously through the Safe2Say online reporting platform. Sexual Assault Resource Centre 1800 199 888 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800