Martin Harmata, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia (arrested Nov 2012) [sex abuse]

Sydney Catholic educators with issues:

• Martin Harmata, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia (arrested Nov 2012) [sex abuse]
• Alan James Pollock, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia (arrested Nov 2012) [sex abuse]

Brother Martin Harmata, 59, former science teacher at Patrician Brothers' College [Catholic Education Office], Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia, "accused of the sexual abuse of two schoolboys, aged 12 and 13, in the 1980's"

7 News: Teachers charged with child sex abuse (Nov 13 2012)

Science teacher Brother Martin Harmata ... stands accused of the sexual abuse of two schoolboys, aged 12 and 13, in the 1980's.​

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Both men were arrested last night as part of a sex crimes investigation that has lasted more than a year. While detectives said yesterday's arrests are not closely linked, Seven News understands there are two other members of the staff who worked at the school over the same period who are currently under investigation.​

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Express Advocate: Catholic brother arrested at The Entrance and charged with multiple child sex offences (Nov 13 2012)

A Catholic brother charged with six child sex offences will appear in Wyong Local Court tomorrow after his solicitor today requested the matter be adjourned. Martin Harmata, 59, didn't appear in Wyong Local Court this morning, with solicitor George McCauley requesting the matter be adjourned until tomorrow to allow legal representation to come up from Sydney. There was no application for bail and it was refused. The churchman was arrested by detectives from Strike Force Avia about 6pm last night at The Entrance and charged with committing an indecent act on a child under 16 and under authority and five counts of indecent assault on a child under 16 and under authority, in relation to two boys aged 12 and 13-year-old.​

 

Oz Teacher: NSW: Two charged over sex assaults (Nov 13 2012)

A Catholic brother and a former Catholic teacher have been charged in New South Wales over alleged assaults on children dating back to the 1980s ... The Catholic brother, whose charges relate to the two boys, has been refused bail and will appear at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday. The 59-year-old was arrested at a property at The Entrance on the Central Coast. He was charged with committing an indecent act on a child under 16 and under authority, along with five counts of indecent assault on a child under 16 and under authority.​

 

ABC News: Catholic Priest and teacher charged with child sex crimes (Nov 13 2012)

As the Royal Commission into sexual abuse against children was being announced, New South Wales police were laying charges against a former teacher and a Catholic brother. The two men aged 58 and 59 were arrested last night and charged with a number of offences dating back 25 years. Meanwhile, the senior police officer who broke ranks to speak out against the police handling of sex abuse allegations involving the clergy says he'll now have to quit his job.​

 

7 News: Ex-teacher, Catholic Brother charged over abuse (Nov 13 2012)

Brother Martin Hermata, 59, who was arrested at The Entrance on the central coast last night, faces six charges, including five counts of indecent assault on a child under 16. Police allege the offences relate to two boys, aged 12 and 13 years old, who were abused while he was a teacher at the Patrician Brothers College at Blacktown in 1987 ... The Acting Commander of the Sex Crimes Squad, Michael Haddow, says Hermata worked at the college until the allegations against him were made late last year.​

 

The Australian: School link emerges as two are charged with child sex abuse (Nov 13 2012)

... Sex Crimes Squad commander Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Haddow said there was no evidence to suggest they were part of a pedophile ring. Detectives investigating the allegations of abuse relating to three children - an eight-year-old girl in 1985 and two 13-year-old boys in 1987 - made the arrests at separate locations last night. Police will allege some of the incidents took place at a Catholic college and a Catholic primary school in Sydney's west ... Police would allege that separate offences took place at separate times, although both men have been charged in relation to the same 13-year-old boy.​

 

Brisbane Times: Catholic brother molested boys: NSW court (Nov 13 2012)

Martin Harmata, 59, remained in the holding cells of Wyong Local Court, on the NSW Central Coast, when his matter was briefly mentioned on Tuesday. Court documents list his address as the school but he was arrested on Monday at a property at The Entrance. Police charged him with six historical offences relating to two boys who were aged 13 at the time. The charges include the indecent assault of a person under his authority and committing an indecent act towards a person under his authority. Harmata allegedly rubbed one boy on the upper thigh and also made the boy touch his penis. Police also charged him with masturbating in front of the other boy and getting the boy to masturbate Harmata.​

WA Today: Catholic brother molested boys: NSW court (Nov 13 2012)

 

Blacktown Advocate: Patrician Brothers Blacktown former Brother Martin Harmata and teacher charged over child sex abuse (Nov 13 2012)

A former Patrician Brothers Catholic Brother, Martin Harmata, and teacher who both allegedly sexually abused the same 13-year-old boy did so on separate occasions and were not working together, the head of an investigation into the 25-year-old allegations said today. The two men were charged on Monday night with numerous child sex offences allegedly committed against an eight-year-old girl in 1985 and two 13-year-old boys in 1987.​

 

Cobar Age: Catholic brother, teacher on child sex charges (Nov 13 2012)

An investigation, named Strike Force Avia, was established in October last year after three victims, two males and a female, came forward ... An hour later they arrested a 59-year-old Catholic brother at a home at the Entrance on the Central Coast. He was charged with six counts of indecent assault relating to two 13-year-old boys.

 

9 News: Come forward, NSW sex abuse victims urged (Nov 13 2012)

Any more victims of two Catholic educators charged with molesting children shouldn't be deterred from coming forward by the royal commission, police say. A NSW court heard on Tuesday that Martin Harmata, 59, allegedly sexually abused two 13-year-old boys in the 1980s at a Catholic college and a Catholic primary school in Sydney's west. Another former teacher is also accused of molesting one of those boys as well as an eight-year-old girl. But there's no evidence, so far, of a paedophile ring operating at the schools, Sex Crimes Squad commander Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Haddow said on Tuesday.​

 

New South Wales Police Force Press Release (Nov 13 2012):

Former Catholic teacher and Catholic Brother charged over historical assaults - Sex Crimes Squad​

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Tuesday, 13 November 2012 12:47:20 AM​

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A former Catholic teacher and a Catholic Brother have now been charged by Sex Crimes Squad detectives. ​

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Strike Force Avia was established by the Sex Crimes Squad in October 2011 to investigate the allegations which relate to two boys, aged 13, in 1987, and one girl, aged eight, in 1985.​

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It will be alleged a number of the incidents occurred on school grounds at a Catholic college at Blacktown and a Catholic primary school at Lalor Park.​

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Just after 5pm yesterday (Monday 12 November 2012), detectives from Strike Force Avia arrested a 58-year-old former Catholic teacher at an address in Blacktown.​

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He was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with sexual assault (child under 16); indecent assault (child under 16); commit indecent act (child under 16 years); and indecent assault (child under 16 and under authority). The charges relate to a 13-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl.​

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The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court 13 December, 2012.​

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About 6pm, a 59-year-old Catholic Brother was arrested at an address at The Entrance.​

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He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with commit indecent act (child under 16 and under authority); and five counts of indecent assault (child under 16 and under authority). The charges relate to two 13-year-old boys.​

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The man was bail refused to appear in Wyong Local Court today.​

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Inquiries are continuing.​

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Police encourage any victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, to report it to their local police station. All matters are investigated thoroughly.​

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Anyone with information about child sexual abuse should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages. ​

New South Wales Police Force Press Release (Nov 12 2012):

Former Catholic teacher and Catholic Brother arrested over historical assaults - Sex Crimes Squad​

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Monday, 12 November 2012 07:15:07 PM​

A former Catholic teacher and a Catholic Brother have today been arrested by Sex Crimes Squad detectives following a number of alleged historical assaults against children dating back 25 years.​

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Strike Force Avia was established by the Sex Crimes Squad in October 2011 to investigate the allegations which relate to two boys, aged 13, in 1987, and one girl, aged eight, in 1985.​

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It will be alleged a number of the incidents occurred on school grounds at a Catholic college at Blacktown and a Catholic primary school at Lalor Park.​

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Just after 5pm today (Monday 12 November 2012), detectives from Strike Force Avia arrested a 58-year-old former Catholic teacher at an address in Blacktown.​

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He was taken to Blacktown Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.​

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About 6pm, a 59-year-old Catholic Brother was arrested at an address at The Entrance.​

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He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.​

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Investigations are continuing.​

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Police encourage any victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, to report it to their local police station. All matters are investigated thoroughly.​

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Anyone with information about child sexual abuse should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages. ​

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Most other articles up to this point seem to be based on the above press releases:

• Big Pond News: NSW abuse-accused worked at same school (Nov 13 2012)
• Sydney Morning Herald: Two charged over Sydney child sex assaults (Nov 13 2012)
• Big Pond News: Two charged over NSW child sex assaults (Nov 13 2012)
• Courier Mail: Catholic brother, former teacher arrested on child-abuse allegations in NSW (Nov 12 2012)
• The Australian: Catholic Brother, ex-teacher arrested (Nov 13 2012)
• ABC: Teacher, Catholic brother arrested over alleged child sexual abuse (Nov 12 2012)
• Big Pond News: Two held in NSW over child sex assaults (Nov 12 2012)
• Blacktown Advocate: Blacktown/Lalor Park: Former Catholic teacher and Brother arrested over alleged abuse of children (Nov 12 2012)

 

ABC: Ex-teacher, Catholic brother face assault charges (Nov 13 2012)

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One of the victims, now a senior serving police officer, told Father Kevin Lee about the alleged abuse at the Patrician Brothers' College. Father Lee claimed a paedophile network operated at the school with at least four members. He told Lateline: "[The allegations include] the terrible masturbation of young boys, forcing oral sex on them, taking them and putting them in a situation of having sex with a number of teachers in the school and just the manipulation of vulnerable children. "You can't possibly have four in a school doing something against children and none of other staff being aware of it." Lateline spoke to three men who claim to be victims of abuse at the Blacktown school. "The victims range from that high-ranking police officer to a Comancheros bikie, so the selection of the victims... has destroyed some peoples' lives, but others have been able to pick them up again," Father Lee said. He told the program he first learnt of the alleged abuse while serving as the NSW police chaplain, when one of the victims attempted suicide.​

 

Forbes Advocate: Catholic brother, teacher on child sex charges (Nov 14 2012)

Police cannot rule out further arrests, or that more victims will come forward, after a Catholic brother and a teacher were charged over child sex offences at two western Sydney schools. The offences are alleged to have occurred at a Blacktown Catholic college and a Lalor Park primary school more than two decades ago. An investigation, named Strike Force Avia, was established in October last year after three victims, two males and a female, came forward. Yesterday police arrested the 58-year-old male teacher, who worked part-time at both the school and college, in Blacktown. He was charged with sexual assault and indecent assault relating to the alleged abuse of a 13-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl. An hour later they arrested a 59-year-old Catholic brother at a home at the Entrance on the Central Coast. He was charged with six counts of indecent assault relating to two 13-year-old boys. It is alleged that some of the offences occurred on the grounds of the primary school and college.​

 

ABC: A Catholic brother and former teacher charged over sex offenses (Nov 13 2012)

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Today the NSW police confirmed they've arrested and charged a Catholic brother who taught and resided at the school with multiple sex offences. The Catholic Church says Brother Martin Harmata was removed from the Patrician Brothers School when police started their investigations more than a year ago. But as Matthew Carney reports, there is some evidence that suggests otherwise ... However, the Patrician Brothers' official website suggests otherwise. As we go to air, Brother Harmata is cited as still teaching at the school and in his 31st year in service. And until yesterday on the official website, Brother Harmata was endorsed as a community leader for Blacktown, with a contact number provided. Today his name was removed. And still on the website, viewers are directed to a promotional video produced by the Patrician Order uploaded on 28 February ... Brother Harmata features prominently in this video in "What is a Religious Brother?" Lateline asked the Patrician Brothers for a response but they could not be contacted.​

 

news.com.au: Accused teacher was still at school: A SYDNEY Catholic school teacher who allegedly molested two young boys on school grounds was still working there more than 20 years later (Nov 14 2012)

Brother Martin Harmata, a teacher at Patrician Brothers College in Blacktown for more than 30 years, allegedly assaulted the boys, aged 12 and 13, in the late 1980s. Harmata, 59, did not appear during a brief Wyong Local Court hearing yesterday, during which he was refused bail.​

 

Newcastle Herald: Arrests over sex assaults (Nov 13 2012)

A CATHOLIC brother and a former Catholic school teacher have been arrested over alleged sex assaults on children in the 1980s. Sex Crimes Squad detectives investigating allegations of abuse on an eight-year-old girl in 1985 and two 13-year-old boys in 1987 made the arrests last night. The 58-year-old former teacher was arrested at a Blacktown address just after 5pm and a 59-year-old Catholic Brother was arrested at The Entrance on the Central Coast an hour later.​

 

SBS: Come forward, NSW sex abuse victims urged (Nov 14 2012)

If there are more alleged victims of two Catholic educators charged with historical sex offences they should not wait for the royal commission, NSW police say. Any more victims of two Catholic educators charged with molesting children shouldn't be deterred from coming forward by the royal commission, police say.​

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Harmata has taught at the school for 31 years but was stood down in January this year over the allegations. He was arrested on Monday at an address at The Entrance, on the NSW Central Coast, and charged with six offences. Court documents state he allegedly rubbed one boy on the upper thigh and also made the boy touch his penis. Police also charged him with masturbating in front of the other boy and getting the boy to masturbate him. He chose to remain in the holding cells on Tuesday and did not appear when his matter was briefly mentioned before Wyong Local Court.​