Former Bishop of Broome jailed for six years and six months for sexual abuse
Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, was jailed after conviction for sexually abusing two Aboriginal men.
The former Bishop of Broome was jailed for six years and six months after being convicted of sexually abusing two Aboriginal men between 2010 and 2019. Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, was found guilty on 13 charges including unlawful assault, indecent assault, and penetration without consent.
The trial found Saunders engaged in repeated grooming. He hosted alcohol-fuelled parties at church properties.
His most serious conviction was rape. It happened on a farm just outside Kununurra.
One victim said he was so drunk he could not consent. Judge Martin Flynn accepted the victim's evidence.
He said Saunders ignored the men's dignity. Saunders can apply for parole after four and a half years.
The sentence was backdated to August 12. The judge rejected character references.
They described a man Saunders clearly was not.
Why it mattersThis is a landmark conviction of the most senior Catholic in northern WA for sexual abuse. It is rare for such a powerful religious leader to face prison for these crimes.
AustraliaThe conviction affects the Catholic Church's standing in Australia and Western Australia particularly. It demonstrates that senior religious figures can be held accountable for abuse despite their position.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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