Australia Updates on Inappropriate Behaviour Charges

Two sailors have been found not guilty of inappropriate behaviour and another two await details of their punishment after pleading guilty to some of the charges they faced for their role in incidents alleged to have occurred on board HMAS Newcastle in 2011.

All sailors have been acquitted of the most serious charge which involved allegations of sexual intercourse without consent.

The decisions follow a public General Court Martial which commenced in Sydney on 1 September 2014.

Two sailors were found not guilty of having played a role in an act of inappropriate behaviour. A decision is yet to be made about what punishment will be applied to two other sailors who, earlier in the court martial, pleaded guilty to some charges.

At the time, then Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN, called for members of the Navy to maintain their vigilance and come forward if they knew of other instances of the alleged behaviour.

Further allegations were subsequently raised, relating to an incident in HMAS Melbourne in 2009, and were referred to the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service for review.

Charges have now been served on two other Navy members.

Press release, Image: Australian Navy