https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-29/former-bishop-broome-christopher-alan-sau...



By Mya Kordic and Gareth McKnight
ABC Kimberley


Wed 29 Jan

In short:

The former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders is facing six new charges, including sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13.

The 75-year-old was arrested in Western Australia's north on January 26 and is now facing a total of 39 charges.






What's next?
Mr Saunders is due to appear in Broome Magistrates Court on Monday, February 3

A former high-ranking catholic Bishop in Western Australia's north is facing six new criminal charges,


Christopher Alan Saunders, 75, was arrested by detectives from the child abuse squad on Sunday and charged with sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13, three counts of indecent dealings with a child under 13 years old and two counts of common assault.

Police said the alleged offences occurred in 2009 and 2010 in Broome.






More historical charges
Police first arrested the former Catholic church leader in February 2024, charging him with 26 offences.

These included two counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of indecent dealings with a child and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault.

It was alleged at Mr Saunders's first court appearance that these charges all related to one complainant, who was aged 16 and 17 years of age at the time of the alleged offending.

He pleaded not guilty to all 19 of these charges in September 2024. He was also charged with seven firearm offences at the time, but is yet to enter a plea.

Mr Saunders was also charged with two unlawful and indecent assault charges in June 2024, which he pleaded not guilty to.

Officers have subsequently continued their investigation into the 75-year-old, with five new unlawful and indecent assault charges laid in December.

These charges related to the alleged assault of a 24-year-old man in 2016.

Mr Saunders is yet to enter a plea to the five charges and will appear in Broome Magistrates Court in relation to these, and the latest six charges, on Monday.

The 75-year-old has always maintained his innocence and is likely to stand trial in Broome District Court later this year.

John Smith wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 1:54pm:


I expect Greg will turn up when he finishes defending terrorists.

I wonder of he'll get a larger than $1 million legal defence team like George Pell?

Bobby. wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 1:59pm:


Fib?

I asked a question.

Is it true that he's been invited to Mar-a-Lago?

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 2:04pm:



More fibs.   

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 2:07pm:



Innuendo is also a fib.   

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 30^th, 2025 at 2:07pm:


Greg will be here shouting from the rooftops but slinking away when asked to condemn the 2184000 palestinians who support terrorists.