The former head of a Catholic school in Christchurch has been found guilty on seven counts of abusing boys in the 1970's.
Seventy-three-year-old St John of God brother Rodger Moloney looked down at his feet while listening to the jury return seven guilty verdicts and 16 not guilty verdicts in the historical sex abuse case.
The 23 charges faced by Moloney dated to when he was head of Maryland's School.
There was almost silence in the Christchurch High Court when the verdicts were read out.
Moloney stood in the dock with his eyes closed when the first 15 counts of not guilty were read out, then there were seven counts of guilty. When that happened one of the men who supported the abused men almost vomited and ran from the court.
The guilty verdicts relate to indecent assaults and inducing indecent acts, while Moloney was found not guilty on other charges of indecent assault, inducing indecent acts and sodomy.
One victim says the trial has been a harrowing experience, and while he is pleased for his guilty verdict, there were tears when he heard all the not guilty verdicts.
When allegations surfaced against a number of staff at Marylands
School about six years ago, Moloney was living in Australia.
He fought extradition arguing after more than 30 years, he wouldn't
get a fair trial.
Only one of Moloney's victims was at court to hear the
verdicts.
He says he doesn't think the verdict will change his life from now on, but that he will "keep on battling with the rest of the fellows."
Moloney is not considered to be a risk to the community, and has been granted bail.
He will be sentenced on August 1.
