12 Apr 2013

Decision to extradite man reserved

3:22 pm on 12 April 2013

A judge considering whether to extradite convicted sex offender Bernard McGrath to Australia to face sexual abuse charges has reserved her decision.

McGrath, who has already served three prison terms in New Zealand and Australia for abusing young boys, faces another 252 charges of sexual abuse laid in an Australian court.

The charges allege that the former St John of God brother repeatedly raped, molested and abused dozens of young boys at church-run institutions in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese in the 1970s and 80s.

Judge Jane Farish ruled that media may not publish any evidence given on Friday, because it may impede hearings in Australia that are subject to heavy suppression orders.

Judge Farish has reserved her decision until 16 May.