Former bishop sentenced to more than six years in prison for sexually abusing young Aboriginal men

Former Broome bishop Christopher Alan Saunders has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for sexually abusing young Aboriginal men between 2008 and 2019. The 76-year-old, known for hosting alcohol-fuelled parties at Catholic church properties, was found guilty of 13 sex offences, including one count of sexual penetration without consent and a dozen unlawful and indecent assault charges.

Saunders, who was the second Broome bishop from 1996 until his resignation in 2020 following public sex abuse claims, will be eligible for parole after serving four years and six months. If not acquitted on appeal, he would become the highest-ranking Catholic in Australia convicted of sexual abuse over his time as a clergy member.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Guardian's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.