Peter Fox stood quietly near the back of a packed Newcastle Local Court sentencing hearing today to hear the fate of Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson.
The former Detective Chief Inspector spearheaded the investigation which ultimately led to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
In 2012, he wrote an open letter to then NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell accusing senior Catholic officials of covering up abuse by paedophile priests in the Newcastle Maitland Diocese, saying they went as far as destroying evidence and tipped off perpetrators about police investigations.
Today, in a landmark ruling, a small measure of justice was handed out in Newcastle Local Court - a recognition at least of the horrendous and ghastly predatory sex crimes inflicted on hundreds of victims over several decades.
Philip Wilson was found guilty of concealing child sex abuse by for Hunter paedophile priest, James Fletcher in the 1970's.
The 67-year-old was today sentenced to 12 months gaol with a non-parole period of 6 months, however Judge Robert Stone ruled the Catholic cleric be assessed for the suitability of home detention, given his age, state of health and the fact he is unlikely to re-offend. Judge Stone however made it clear a good behaviour bond or an intensive corrections order (which normally involves community service) would not be suitable or appropriate in the circumstances, given there was such a strong community outcry against child sex abuse and the need to impose a sentence which acknowledges the requirement to provide a general deterrent, saying Philip Wilson was motivated by his desire to protect the Catholic Church.
The matter has been adjourned until August 14 when the issue of home detention will be decided.
Victims of child sex abuse including Peter Gogarty told reporters outside the court he believed there was still a chance Philip Wilson could go to gaol.
42-year-old Daniel Feenan suffered at the hand of late paedophile priest, James Fletcher, whose crimes form the cornerstone of Wilson’s concealment conviction.
After hearing the sentence, Mr Feenan said it represents recognition of the damage Philip Wilson has caused.
“It is landmark that he has been found guilty,” Mr Feenan said, “it is a landmark decision that he’s been given 12 months…
“I really hope that he goes to gaol…if [Wilson] had done the right thing back in 1976 I would never have been abused.
“If the church had of then stood Fletcher aside, my life would be completely different,” Mr Feenan concluded.
After the sentence was handed down, Peter Fox spoke exclusively to 2NUR-FM News outside Newcastle Court, saying he had a feeling of relief now this 'chapter' was over.
He said although some would have mixed feelings about the sentence, it was a good outcome.
"The fact is we've finally seen someone charged and convicted of concealing these crimes which I think most people know now after the Royal Commission has been perpetrated so many times...it's finally good to see someone brought to account," he said.
However, he's not convinced the Catholic Church's attitude has changed despite the Royal Commission and moves by several states and territories to bring in crimes of concealment even if it is within the sanctity of a confessional.
"I'd like to say yes...to listen to Archbishop Wilson's replacement down in Adelaide saying that they will not be abiding by that and will follow church law ahead of the law of the land says to me, sadly, that they've learned very little. They are still going to do what they want to do," he said.
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| Former Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox |
