Foreigner suspected of molesting boys

KARANGASEM, Bali: Police here are detaining an Australian national suspected of molesting two local minors, a police officer said on Wednesday.

The suspect, identified as William S. Brown alias Tony, 52, has undergone a questioning in the presence of his lawyer.

"He (Brown) has signed his statement this evening. However, I cannot divulge more details of the case," chief of Karangasem Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Martanto said.

He said the suspect's lawyer would notify the Australian Consulate in Denpasar regarding the matter.

The Australian, who is teaching at a school in Amlapura, was arrested on Tuesday evening at his residence in Kuwum village after the parents of the minors filed a formal complaint earlier in day.

The minors were identified as Ar, 16, and Su, 14. Both were students at a local junior high school.

According to the police report, the molestation allegedly took place on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, when the suspect took Ar and Su to a villa in the resort area of Jasri beach.

The students said they had tried to resist the suspect's advances.

The suspect is reported to have frequently given money to the boys, usually around Rp 5,000 (60 US cents) or Rp 20,000. -- JP