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Christopher Alan Saunders, a former 76-year-old bishop of Broome, has been sentenced to over six years in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men under his authority in Western Australia. Convicted on one count of sexual penetration and twelve counts of indecent assault, the court heard testimony about inappropriate gatherings and assaults at church-owned properties in remote areas. Judge Martin Flynn delivered a total effective sentence of six and a half years, with Saunders eligible for parole in 2031.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Christopher Alan Saunders, the former Bishop of Broome in Western Australia and one of the longest-serving Catholic clerics in the country, has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men. The abuse occurred between 2008 and 2019, with convictions on charges including sexual penetration without consent and twelve counts of indecent assault. Saunders used his position to manipulate victims, hosting "shirts-off" parties where he would supply alcohol and food while the men wore only boxer shorts. He was known by the nickname "Brother B," using church funds and properties for these gatherings in remote areas like Broome and a retreat called the "beach house." Despite facing additional charges, Saunders was acquitted of seven similar offenses due to lack of evidence. The 76-year-old will be eligible for parole after serving four years and six months but remains one of the highest-ranking Catholic officials convicted in Australia for such crimes.
Written for “Catholic Bishop Sexual Abuse Jailed” on 2026-10-07,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
The former Bishop of Broome, once one of the most senior and longest-serving Catholic clerics in the country, has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for sex offences against two young men.
asserted
Bishop → serve → men
Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, was found guilty earlier this year of multiple offences against the men when he was the bishop of a remote area of Western Australia three times larger than England.
asserted
he → find → England
He was convicted of one count of sexual penetration and 12 counts of indecent assault.
asserted
He → convict → assault
The victims were young Aboriginal men who lived in the Kimberley, where Indigenous people make up more than 40 per cent of the population.
asserted
people → live → population
The assaults happened at various places, including at the former bishop's Catholic church-owned residence in the popular tourist haven of Broome, and at a retreat known as the "beach house".
asserted
assaults → happen → house
The court had been told of "shirts off" gatherings that Saunders held, supplying alcohol and food to young men wearing only boxer shorts.
asserted
Saunders → tell → shorts
The then-bishop would occasionally engage in wrestling and boxing with the men, the court heard.
asserted
court → engage → men
The court was told Saunders had used his feet to touch young men sexually, had kissed them on the lips, grabbed their "privates" and in one instance, engaged in oral sex without consent.
asserted
Saunders → tell → consent
'I'm in so much pain': victim
Saunders was accused of offences against three men but was only found guilty of charges related to two of them.
asserted
Saunders → accuse → them
Judge Martin Flynn handed down sentences for all 13 offences, with a total effective sentence of six and a half years.
asserted
Flynn → hand → years
Judge Flynn read out part of a statement provided to the court by one of the victims, who Saunders abused over several years.
asserted
Saunders → read → years
"I was a toy that he was using,"the victim said.
asserted
victim → say → that
"My head is pounding now, I'm in so much pain.
asserted
I → pound → pain
I can't talk about it."
asserted
I → talk → it
Judge Flynn said Saunders had disregarded the right of the victims to make a free choice about "what they do with their body".
asserted
they → say → body
Saunders, who has been in custody since he was found guilty in August, showed no reaction after the sentences were handed down.
asserted
sentences → find → reaction
As he chose not to give evidence in his defence at the trial, the playing of police interview recordings were the only occasions when the jurors could hear denials from Saunders himself.
uncertain
jurors → choose → Saunders
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