Houston was accused of concealing that his late father, Frank Houston, sexually abused a young man
Sydney Magistrate Gareth Christofi announced the verdict Thursday, two months after he heard closing arguments in the long-delayed trial. Christofi ruled that Houston had reasonable excuse for not reporting his father’s crimes to police.
“The Crown submits that the reason was that the accused was trying to protect the reputation of the church and his father,” Crown Prosecutor Gareth Harrison said during closing arguments in the trial.Frank Houston was a longtime superintendent of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand before moving to Australia in 1977 and founding the Sydney Christian Life Centre, which Brian Houston later took over and merged with Hillsong.
Harrison made a case for a church culture replete with scandals and coverups. He argued Houston made sure he was the main point of contact between the victim, Brett Sengstock, and the church to keep hidden his father’s sexual abuse. When Houston did tell Hillsong about the abuse, according to Harrison, he only did so in suggestive language that softened the extent of the crime.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston Found Not Guilty of Concealing Father's Sex OffensesOn Thursday, an Australian court ruled Hillsong founder Brian Houston was not guilty of covering up child sex abuse allegations against his father Frank Houston.
Read more »
Hillsong megachurch founder Brian Houston acquitted of covering father’s 1970′s child sex abuseFrank Houston, who died in 2004 at the age of 82, is believed to have abused as many as nine boys, but he was never charged.
Read more »
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston found not guilty of concealing his father's child sex crimesHillsong Church founder Brian Houston has been ruled not guilty of an Australian charge of concealing his father’s child sex crimes.
Read more »
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston found not guilty of concealing his father's child sex crimesHillsong Church founder Brian Houston has been ruled not guilty of an Australian charge of concealing his father’s child sex crimes.
Read more »
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston found not guilty of concealing his father's child sex crimesHillsong Church founder Brian Houston has been ruled not guilty of an Australian charge of concealing his father’s child sex crimes.
Read more »
Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston acquitted of covering up father's child sex crimesA Sydney court on Thursday acquitted the founder of global megachurch Hillsong of covering up child sexual abuse committed by his father in the 1970s.
Read more »