Catholic priest, 79, extradited from NSW to face charges over 1990s ‘indecent assault’ in WA against girl

A catholic priest has been extradited from New South Wales to face allegations he indecently dealt with a young girl while visiting WA more than 30 years ago. Child abuse squad detectives travelled to NSW and arrested a 79-year-old man at a property in Granville after he allegedly offended in 1990 while visiting WA. The accused faced Parramatta Magistrates Court on Wednesday before his extradition to WA was approved. Court documents said the alleged offending took place in Kardinya on June 29, 1990. He is facing two charges of unlawful indecent dealing with a child under 13 years and is due to front the Perth Magistrates Court today. Police allege the girl was just 11-year-old at the time of the man’s first offence. A police spokeswoman said child abuse squad detectives located the man as part of a taskforce Tonalite, which was established to investigate historical abuse and referrals provided from the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sex abuse. Anybody who is a victim of sexual abuse is urged by detectives to contact police on 131 444. Information can be provided anonymously through the Safe2Say online reporting platform.