Desmond Eric Neil Richards: Christian brother could die in jail
An 82-year-old former Catholic school principal has flagged he would admit to horrific sex crimes that will see him likely die in jail as a disgraced paedophile.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former Central Coast Christian brother will plead guilty to historical sex crimes if an attempt to stay his District Court trial falls over, a court has been told.
Desmond “Eric” Neil Richards, 82, is currently serving a six-year jail term over the abuse of young boys in the in 1970s and 80s in various church postings across NSW.
He is now facing several similar allegations relating to his alleged sexual abuse of other boys under his care.
The frail pensioner appeared from Long Bay Jail via audiovisual link at Sydney’s Central Local Court on Tuesday where his lawyer Daniel Wakim outlined how Richards would admit the alleged horrific abuse if his legal team could not convince the courts to stay the case.
The fresh charges centre around his time within the church in the late 1970s where a number of alleged victims came forward alleging they were abused.
Richards was eligible for parole last December after serving three years but remains behind bars serving out his six-year sentence handed down in 2016.
If convicted on the 12 new counts of buggery, indecent assault, sexual assault – which attract a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail – Richards would likely die in jail.
The court heard police were dropping five of the charges initially laid against Richards.
Magistrate Robbie Williams committed his 12 other charges for trial.
Richards’ case will first be heard in the District Court on October 30.
NEWS TIPS: ANTON.ROSE@NEWS.COM.AU