Aussie archbishop avoids jail

NEWCASTLE — The most senior Roman Catholic cleric convicted of covering up child sex abuse was ordered by an Australian court Tuesday to serve his one-year sentence in home detention rather than jail.

Newcastle Magistrate Robert Stone on Tuesday ordered former Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson to be detained at his sister’s house for at least six months before he is eligible for parole. He will be under strict supervision including having to wear a tracking device that would alert authorities if he left the house.

Wilson, 67, has denied the accusations and had refused to resign pending an appeal.