Brother William John Obbens, 69, of Balmain sat behind his solicitor neatly dressed and with hands folded for the brief mention in Goulburn Local Court on Monday.

He is charged with two counts of sexual assault/indecent assault of a person under 16 under authority.

Obbens was a teacher at St Patrick’s College from 1986 to 1989, according to Dr David Bollen’s book, ‘Up on the Hill: A History of St Patrick’s College.’ 

Detectives from Strikeforce Charish arrested him at his Balmain address on December 11 and took him to Newtown Police Station where he was charged.

On Monday, solicitor Angela Skocic sought an adjournment and brief order.

The police prosecutor asked that the matter be adjourned to a Department of Prosecutions court date.

Registrar Bernadette Hilton ordered a brief of evidence be furnished by January 28 and a reply by February 11.

The matter was adjourned to Goulburn Local Court on February 11.

Ms Skocic asked that her client be excused from attending on that date as he lived in Sydney.

Obbens is the third Christian Brother from St Patrick’s College to be charged with indecent assault. 

Strikeforce Charish, comprising three Goulburn detectives, was established last February to investigate allegations of child indecent assault at the school between 1978 and 1990.