NZ JUDGE RULES CATHOLIC BROTHER TO RETURN TO AUS TO FACE CHILD SEX CHARGES

A New Zealand judge has ruled that a former Catholic brother be extradited to Australia, to face more than 250 child sex charges.

Bernard Kevin McGrath is accused of raping, molesting and abusing dozens of young boys at church-run institutions in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese during the late 1970s.

A District Court in Christchurch has ruled the former St John of God brother be returned to Australia.

The 65-year-old has 15 days to appeal.