He died aged of 24 after spiralling into a pattern of self-destructive behaviour of alcohol and drugs shortly after leaving secondary school.

Yesterday his mother, Helen Watson of Ballarat, told The Standard how her son had been a normal fun-loving boy growing up in a farming community until his life was scarred by events at the Ararat Catholic presbytery when he was 15.

Local parish priest Father Paul David Ryan had invited some boys to an evening of cars, a blue movie and alcohol. Court evidence later revealed the priest had sexually abused the boys.

Ms Watson’s evidence assisted Warrnambool’s Detective Senior Constable Colin Ryan in bringing charges against Ryan, who was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to 18 months’ jail. “Peter has been a normal young boy growing up, but after the abuse was a different person,” his mother said.

“He continued through to year 12, he kept trying and trying, but couldn’t get over the incident.

“Then he began over-indulging in alcohol and drugs and drifted around Ararat and travelled to Queensland.

“He was admitted to psychiatric services and made multiple attempts at suicide.

“When he was 24 he ended his life by hanging himself in Aspendale. However, we didn’t know till months afterwards.”

When police found his body it was in an advanced state of decay and he was buried as an unknown person.

It wasn’t until a police officer pushed for fingerprint testing that Peter’s body was identified. His family had the body exhumed and given a proper burial at Ararat.

“It all started with the sexual abuse,” Ms Watson said.

Anyone in need of help and support or considering harming themself can phone Lifeline 24 hours a day on 131 114.