The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has been ordered to pay $1.9 million in damages to a former altar boy who was sexually abused by Victorian priest Desmond Gannon
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The Supreme Court of Victoria heard that on one occasion in 1968, Gannon drove the victim along a country road to a clearing before sexually abusing and raping him. The victim said he was terrified at the time that Gannon would kill him. The victim continued having thoughts and nightmares about Gannon, including being chased through the bush, falling, and then waking up, the court heard.
Justice Andrew Keogh rejected the church’s submissions in judgment and found the abuse had caused the victim injuries that severely disrupted his education and working life.
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