Catholic priest pleads guilty to indecent assault

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/catholic-priest-pleads-guilty-indecent-assault-6082279

A Catholic parish priest says he’s anxious about the wellbeing of his victim after pleading guilty in the Blenheim District Court to indecent assault today.

Father Aidan Kay, from St Mary‘s Catholic Parish in Blenheim, was removed from his duties at the church after being charged by police.

His defence lawyer Rob Harrison asked that the conviction not be entered so his client could go through a restorative justice programme.

Judge Peter Hobbs remanded Kay on bail until October 20 when restorative justice will be considered.

Judge Hobbs also told Kay he was not to contact or associate with the victim of his offending.

Outside court today, Kay said he hadn’t been in contact with the victim or their family, and said he was “anxious that they not be affected or harmed by all of this”.

Restorative justice involves a meeting between the offender and their victim to work out how to hold the offender accountable.Kay was based in Hobart for five years and took up his post in New Zealand in February 2013, according to The Australian.