A former Marist brother has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a homeless teenage boy, changing his plea just an hour into his long-awaited trial in the ACT Supreme Court.
Guilty plea after decades of denial
Malcolm John Dickson, 85, admitted to one count of indecent assault on Monday, December 1, 2025. The charge encompassed four separate acts of abuse against a 16-year-old boy that occurred in 1980 and 1981. This admission comes a staggering 45 years after the crimes were committed.
The elderly man, who required a walking stick and hearing aid in court, had initially denied the allegations. His defence barrister, Travis Jackson, requested a break shortly before lunch on the trial's first day. When proceedings resumed, Dickson asked "What do I say?" before entering a loud and clear guilty plea.
Abuse of a vulnerable teenager
Prosecutor Sam McLaughlin outlined the case in a brief opening address. The court heard the victim was a 16-year-old boy who was not living at home at the time. He was staying at various addresses, including a youth refuge.
The prosecution alleged that Dickson, then aged 41 and working as a lay teacher at Marist Brothers College in Pearce, offered the boy accommodation at his home in Hughes. After providing the teenager with wine, Dickson indecently assaulted him while he was intoxicated.
Mr McLaughlin also told the court about Facebook messages Dickson sent after being charged, which were alleged to be admissions of guilt. Furthermore, it was revealed that Dickson has a prior conviction for sexually abusing a nine-year-old boy in Queensland in 2001.
Case heads towards sentencing
The prosecution had intended to present tendency evidence relating to alleged sexual crimes against another person, for which Dickson has not been charged. However, the guilty plea rendered this unnecessary.
Malcolm Dickson, who now resides in Sydney, was granted bail. The case has been adjourned and will next come before a Supreme Court registrar to set a date for sentencing.
This case adds to the long and painful history of institutional child sexual abuse in Australia, highlighting the delayed justice often faced by survivors.
