An Australian naval officer has been found guilty of sexually abusing four boys while serving in Kiribati.
A Brisbane Supreme Court jury on Monday convicted 64 year old Johannes Zweerus Van Der Zyden, on eight counts of sexual conduct with a child under 16 years, and seven of sexual intercourse with a child under 16.
The offences occurred between February 1997 and January 1999 when Van Der Zyden, then a lieutenant commander with the Australian Navy, was stationed on an island in the Kiribati archipelago.
During the trial the court heard Van Der Zyden, who was working as a maritime surveillance adviser, fondled and had oral sex with the four boys - then aged between 11 and 15 - several times.
Van Der Zyden has denied any of the offences took place.
