In a sobering courtroom moment that underscored the long-lasting trauma of historical abuse, 90-year-old former Catholic priest Patrick Francis Holmes has been sentenced to additional prison time for horrific child sex crimes committed decades ago.
The Perth District Court heard disturbing details of Holmes' systematic abuse of two young boys during the 1970s, adding to his existing criminal record for similar offences.
Systematic Abuse in Religious Settings
Holmes targeted his first victim at the St Benedict's Monastery and boarding school in New Norcia, approximately 130 kilometres north of Perth. The vulnerable boy was just 11 years old when the abuse began in 1972.
The court was told Holmes would summon the child to his office under false pretences, where he would engage in sexual acts with the boy. This pattern of abuse continued for approximately 18 months, creating lasting psychological damage.
Judge Belinda Lonsdale noted the profound breach of trust, stating Holmes had exploited his position of authority within the religious institution to prey upon a child placed in his care.
Second Victim in Shenton Park
Holmes' second victim was abused several years later at a private residence in Shenton Park, an inner western suburb of Perth. This boy was also prepubescent when the offending occurred.
The court heard how Holmes would invite the child to his home and provide him with alcohol before committing sexual acts against him. This abuse continued over a period of approximately six months.
Both victims, now adults, have carried the trauma of these experiences for decades before finding the courage to come forward to authorities.
Sentencing and Previous Convictions
Judge Lonsdale sentenced Holmes to three years in prison for his latest convictions, with eligibility for parole after serving 18 months. This sentence will be cumulative to the prison term Holmes is already serving for previous child sex abuse convictions.
The court was informed that Holmes had previously been convicted in December 2022 for similar offences against other children. He was sentenced to five years in prison at that time, with parole eligibility after three years.
With his latest sentencing, the nonagenarian priest faces the prospect of spending his remaining years behind bars. Judge Lonsdale acknowledged Holmes' advanced age and declining health but emphasized that the seriousness of the offences demanded additional imprisonment.
Holmes will be 93 years old before he becomes eligible for parole on his most recent sentence, assuming he survives to that age in the prison system.
The case represents another chapter in the ongoing reckoning for historical child sexual abuse within religious institutions across Australia, demonstrating that justice can still be pursued decades after crimes occurred.
