Retired former Fairy Meadow priest Father Kelvin Gerald Sharkey pleaded guilty to repeatedly sexually assaulting an altar boy 40 years ago. Fr Sharkey, 80 was too frail to enter the dock or stand yesterday when Wollongong District Court Judge Paul Conlon asked how he pleaded to two counts of indecently assaulting a male and one of buggery, the Illawarra Mercury reports.
The victim, now aged 50, was abused from the age of 10 to 16, including inside St John Vianney's Catholic Church at Fairy Meadow, the report adds. It provides details about various incidents of abuse that occurred since the end of 1969.
"You can't tell your mum or dad or you'll go to hell," Sharkey reportedly told the victim after the first time.
Sharkey retired from the church in 1988.
He is not on bail and has been excused from attending court on his next appearance in December, the report said.
Defence lawyer Mark Dennis told the court Sharkey suffered age related health issues and he would not be ready to be sentenced until he could track down his client's medical records.
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