Accused Christian Brother faces more charges

Brother William Peter Standen, 65, is already defending 18 charges of indecent assault on children between 1978 and 1980, while he was a teacher at St Patrick’s College.

But Goulburn Local Court heard on Wednesday that police had laid another 11 charges of indecently assaulting a male after six additional complainants came forward. 

The offences were alleged to have occurred from 1978 to 1981.

Standen, a former dormitory master, appeared for the third time in Goulburn Court on Wednesday. Dressed neatly, he sat quietly reading documents before his brief appearance.

Solicitor Angela Skocic requested an adjournment, explaining that the most recent charges had only been served to her last Monday.

“I have had no opportunity to seek instructions from my client,” she said.

Ms Skocic said an adjournment would also allow time for discussions with the Department of Public Prosecutions to resolve some matters.

DPP representative Michael Love said he had anticipated further charges, but not eleven.

He rold the court he understood the need for further time and did not oppose the adjournment.

“Discussions so far (with the defence) have been fruitful,” he said.

The case was adjourned to Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday, December 10. Magistrate Geraldine Beattie also continued conditional bail. 

He is to report twice-weekly to Lake Illawarra Police Station, cannot be in the presence of anyone aged under 18 and must not leave Australia.

At a September 17 appearance, solicitor Greg Walsh said Standen was likely to plead guilty to an initial 11 charges of indecent assault on a male. 

Those offences were alleged to have occurred on eight boys aged 12 between 1978 and 1980.

A further eight indecent assault charges were levelled in mid-October.