Jailed priest added to sex-offender list

A CATHOLIC priest who has been jailed for indecently assaulting two students at Burnie’s Marist College in the 1960s has had his name added to the sex offenders register.

Thomas Fulcher, 84, was sentenced in December to four years’ jail with a non-parole period of two years.

He returned to the Supreme Court in Hobart yesterday for Justice Helen Wood to decide whether his name should be added to the register.

Justice Wood said although the risk of Fulcher reoffending was low, she was not satisfied he posed no risk.

“The legislation, it’s purpose is not to be punitive, it’s not to punish, it’s purpose is to be protective,” she said.

“I’m not satisfied that the defendant does not pose a risk of committing a reportable offence in the future.”

Justice Wood ordered Fulcher’s name be added to the register for a period of six years from the date of his release from prison. The court heard the Australian Marist Province would continue to assist Fulcher upon his release from prison.

Fulcher pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault.

When Justice Wood sentenced Fulcher, she said he had assaulted one student twice in 1964, and assaulted a second student in 1966.

Both were boarders at the college, where Fulcher was a resident priest, and were aged 13-15 at the time.

The court heard Fulcher was a teacher, sports master, house master and had oversight of boarders at Marist College, now Marist Regional College.

In her sentencing comments, Justice Wood said Fulcher’s actions were a “complete betrayal of the child’s trust, the parents’ trust and also that of society”.

She also said Fulcher was “deeply remorseful”.

Fulcher was removed from the ministry when the crimes came to light and he had been living a life of retirement and seclusion in NSW.

The court heard the first victim had contacted the Catholic Church in 2002 and a civil settlement was reached.

Both victims contributed to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the royal commission referred the matters to Tasmania Police.

Fulcher’s earliest possible release date is December next year. lorettalohberger@news.com.au