by NZ CATHOLIC staff
BLENHEIM –Former St Mary’s Catholic Church priest pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault.
Father Aidan Kay, 71, formerly of St Mary’s Catholic Church, appeared in Blenheim District Court today before Judge Peter Hobbs today. His lawyer, Rob Harrison, asked that no convicion be entered.
Judge Peter Hobbs remanded Kay on bail until October 20. At that time, restorative justice will be considered.
The Ministry of Justice website defines restorative justice as “a process for resolving crime that focuses on redressing the harm done to victims, while holding offenders to account and engaging the community in the resolution of conflict”.
The judge ordered Kay not to have contact with the victim. The victim, who is over 16 years of age, has name suppression.
Fr Kay was relieved of his duties at St Mary’s. He was parish priest there since February 2013.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops said everything was being done to co-operate with the police process, and to support the parish.
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