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Former Catholic head not guilty of abuse

A former headmaster of a NSW Catholic boarding college accused of sexually abusing four boys has walked free after being acquitted by a jury.

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Source: AAP


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A former headmaster of a NSW Catholic boarding college accused of sexually abusing four boys has walked free from court after being acquitted by a jury.

Peter William Dwyer, 68, was cleared of charges relating to alleged assaults against students at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst between 1977 and 1992.

The Order of Australia recipient pleaded not guilty to 10 offences, including indecent assault and having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16.

During his trial in the NSW District Court, Dwyer called the allegations "absolutely repulsive" and said he was "shocked" to hear evidence against him.

The crown had alleged the former Vincentian brother, who went on to become president of the college, used his position of authority to gain access to his victims.

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The court heard some of the alleged attacks were against a boy who complained of being homesick and another who had been caught drinking alcohol and was sent to Dwyer's room to be disciplined.

The jury in the case - which began on April 7 - began deliberating on Thursday, and on Monday it found Dwyer not guilty on all counts.


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