"Former riding instructor jailed for sex abuse"

One does not have to look far for evidence of the double standards that operate in the media when it comes to reporting on the Catholic Church. First, little is reported concerning the Catholic Church that is not negative. Second, on those negative aspects the media often blow it out of all proportion and don't stop until it's done to death.

I was on the local newspaper website today to place a classified when I came across the report below:

Former riding instructor jailed for sex abuse

A FORMER Kangaroo Ground horse riding instructor has been jailed for at least five years for sexually abusing three students in the 1980s.

Ross Duncan Barnett, 60, of Richmond, groomed three schoolgirls to provide him with sexual gratification at his leisure, the County Court heard on Friday.

Barnett pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 and one count of gross indecency with a child under 16 who was under his care, supervision or control.

The charges related to sexual activity with three girls from 1986 to 1988.

In sentencing, Judge Paul Lavaca rejected claims the sexual relationships grew out of a mutual interest in horse-riding.

``You groomed this group of schoolgirls to the extent that you could move from one to the next with impunity,'' the judge told Barnett.

The police investigation began in October 2004 when the first victim made a complaint.

Barnett initially denied the crimes and blamed the girls but eventually accepted sole responsibility, the court heard.

Judge Lavaca sentenced Barnett to seven years' jail with a non-parole period of five years.

Five years jail earns a little report in a local newspaper when the case of a Fr Goodall convicted of committing "indecent assault" on a 28-year-old man with a sentence of the "rising of the court" sent Australia's media into a frenzy for two weeks. How does the media live with itself? Is there no shame among its members?

comments: gerardwilson01@optusnet.com.au