Jury told to disregard seven sex assault charges against former Catholic bishop

A former Catholic bishop in Western Australia has been told by a judge that a jury should disregard seven sex assault charges against him due to insufficient evidence. The case involves Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, who served as Bishop of Broome from 1996 until his retirement. He faces 26 sexual offense allegations involving three young men during his tenure. On Friday, Judge Martin Flynn instructed the jury that seven charges lacked sufficient proof to warrant conviction. Saunders' defense strategy included a refusal to testify, which the court noted. Throughout the trial, prosecutors presented accounts of alleged misconduct, including gatherings at his church-owned home in Broome where participants wore minimal clothing and consumed large amounts of alcohol. These events took place at both his residence and a location referred to as "the beach house." The prosecution argued that these settings facilitated inappropriate behavior. Recent evidence introduced into the courtroom includes police interviews conducted in 2024, following Saunders' retirement. During these sessions, detectives questioned Saunders about specific allegations, such as whether he had touched an alleged victim with his foot or kissed him at the beach house. Saunders consistently denied these claims, calling them "outrageous." In one instance, he expressed disbelief at the suggestion that a victim might have been excluded from his social circle unless he wore boxer shorts. Investigators also presented surveillance footage captured from a covert camera installed in Saunders' home in early 2024. The footage shows Saunders and another man seated together, with each placing their feet on the other’s lap while watching television. However, the individuals in the videos are not among the alleged victims currently on trial. Saunders described his actions as non-invasive and not sexual in nature, insisting they were not abusive. Two alleged victims testified that Saunders used his feet to touch them without consent. In response to these claims, Saunders denied engaging in indecent conduct after drinking and wrestling with a man. His denial extended to allegations of genital contact during similar incidents. In a later 2025 interview, he again rejected the accusations, maintaining his innocence. Legal representatives for Saunders emphasized that jurors should avoid letting broader criticisms of the Catholic Church affect their evaluation of the evidence. This advice came amid ongoing scrutiny of religious institutions regarding historical abuse cases. The trial continues, with closing arguments set to begin on Monday. The proceedings reflect the complex legal and ethical challenges surrounding past misconduct allegations, particularly within religious organizations. As the trial progresses, the outcome could have implications for how such cases are handled in the future. The jury will soon deliberate on the remaining charges, with the hope of reaching a definitive resolution.