Former priest jailed over 1970s sexual abuse

ABC News, Australia/November 9, 2006

A former Anglican priest has been jailed by a Brisbane judge for sexually abusing a teenage boy more than 30 years ago.

Robert Francis Sharwood, 62, pleaded guilty in the District Court to seven charges of sexual assault and was found guilty of four more.

Judge Fleur Kingham jailed him for two years and nine months, to be suspended after one year.

The offences happened while Sharwood worked at an Anglican church in Brisbane's west in the early 1970s.

Judge Kingham told Sharwood he had exploited his position for his own personal gratification and urged him to read the statements of his victim and his victim's wife so that Sharwood would understand the consequences of his actions.

She also acknowledged his efforts to live a law abiding life since the offences took place, telling him he was now not the same person.