A Catholic brother accused of sexually abusing two boys and two girls in the 1970s and ’80s in Melbourne’s west has been bailed until next March.
Brother Bernard Hartman, 73, has been charged with 14 counts of indecent assault. The charges relate to separate complaints from two men and two women, including Altona Meadows woman Mairead Ashcroft.
Taskforce Sano detectives allege the offences happened at a school and homes in the western suburbs of Melbourne between 1976 and 1982.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court last Thursday extended Hartman’s bail until a contested committal hearing on March 17.
Hartman, who is living in St Albans, must report to Sunshine police station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He is not allowed to contact any witnesses, leave Victoria or Australia, or attend any points of international departure.
Hartman, who was arrested at Melbourne Airport in September, is believed to be the first Catholic clergy member extradited from the US to Australia to face justice.
Acting Sergeant Doug Smith said the charges related to historical complaints made by two men who attended the former St Paul’s College in Altona North and two women whose brothers attended the school.
He said the two men allege they were assaulted at the school and the two women allege they were assaulted in their homes.
Ms Aschroft, 48, alleges that Hartman had abused her from the age of eight to 11.
Last November, Ms Ashcroft testified before the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations.
