Former Broome bishop sentenced to six years for rape and indecent assault

A Western Australian District Court jury found Christopher Saunders guilty of one rape and twelve indecent assaults involving two Aboriginal men from the Kimberley region. The judge imposed a term of six years and six months, back‑dated to August 12, and indicated that Saunders will be eligible for parole after serving part of the sentence. Saunders was acquitted of three additional charges relating to a third complainant.

He had stepped aside during a Vatican‑ordered investigation and resigned his episcopal post in 2021, retaining his title. The verdict follows a trial that examined how Saunders used church gatherings, alcohol and gifts to facilitate the abuse.