No verdict in child sex abuse trial of former Mount Isa priest

The trial of former Catholic priest Neville Joseph Creen concluded without a verdict as a jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. Creen, 86, was accused of sexually abusing a boy, aged between 10 and 11 years old, in the late 1970s and early 1980s while serving as a priest in Mount Isa. The jury deliberated for six hours but could not agree on a verdict.

Creen pleaded not guilty to charges of repeated sexual conduct with a child and indecent treatment of a child under 14 years old. Prosecutors alleged that Creen had sexually touched the complainant and forced him to perform oral sex on several occasions when they were alone in a church back room. The complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, testified that Creen had never been identified as the correct priest before.

Creen testified that he was unaware of the complainant and denied any wrongdoing. The jury, consisting of six men and six women, was discharged by Judge Terry Gardiner. Creen remains in custody and will return to court on August 13.