A convicted paedophile who preyed on St Joseph’s College students will probably die in jail after his sentencing to more jail time for assaulting another 20 boys.
Christian Brother Robert Best, 76, was already serving a sentence of almost 15 years after his 2011 conviction for sex crime against 11 boys at the college and several other Victorian schools from 1968 to 1988.
But he was sentenced again yesterday (Thursday) to 10 years and five months’ jail for the attacks on the additional 20 victims, mostly aged between eight and 11 at the time.
The assaults involved students at Newtown’s St Joseph’s as well as children at one Ballarat college and two in Melbourne. Best taught at St Joseph’s from 1985 to 1989.
He will be 86 in 2027 when he becomes eligible for parole.
Some of his victims cried in court as his crimes were read out, the ABC reported after the sentencing.
Judge Geoffrey Chettle in sentencing described Best’s behaviour as “disgusting and abhorrent”, the ABC reported.
“You caused lifelong misery to many people,” Judge Chettle told Best.
“I accept it is highly likely you will die in jail.”
Best was a “obviously a disgrace to that order” despite remaining a Christian Brother, Judge Chettle said.
Best’s new convictions prompted Christian Brothers Oceania Province to again apologise for his crimes.
“Robert Best has committed offences that represent the most grievous betrayal of the trust of innocent children and their families,” the order said in a statement released to media outlets.
“To those who have suffered abuse, we apologise to you and your loved ones without reservation.
“The independent judicial process has now delivered justice for those crimes.”
The order failed to explain why Best remained a Christian Brother.
