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	Former Teacher Says He Witnessed Sexual Assaults By Bellinda Kontominas Sydney Morning Herald September 2, 2009 http://www.smh.com.au/national/former-teacher-says-he-witnessed-sexual-assaults-20090901-f706.html A FORMER school teacher has emerged as a key witness to the alleged sexual assaults of students, amid allegations that paint a picture of ''rampant pedophilia'' at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst. The allegations, including that students were forced to have group sex and were hypnotised to have sex with teachers, were heard during a bail review for Brian Joseph Spillane, a former chaplain at the school. Spillane, 66, is now facing 146 charges of indecent and sexual assault against 27 alleged victims after he was charged on Monday with 32 offences. The alleged offences occurred between 1971 and 1989, when Spillane was both employed as a priest at St Stanislaus College and in the broader community, the court heard. Several witnesses have accused Spillane of indecently assaulting them in the confessional at St Anthony's Parish. He is one of nine former priests or teachers at St Stanislaus and All Saints' College in Bathurst to be charged with historical sex offences. Spillane, who succeeded yesterday in remaining on bail, has strongly denied the allegations. The teacher, known only as ''Witness A'', allegedly saw Spillane sexually abusing and indecently assaulting various students during prayer sessions. He also allegedly witnessed Spillane engaging in ''brief sexual activity'' with students in a shower block. The evidence of Witness A brought ''power support'' to other allegations, prosecutor Beth Walker told a Downing Centre Local Court, before strongly opposing bail. ''In my submission, your honour, the brief of evidence paints a picture of rampant pedophilia,'' she said. The prosecution did not believe Witness A had ''an axe to grind'' against Spillane or other teachers at the school, Ms Walker said. She said Spillane could not be charged in relation to complaints by 14 other witnesses, some because they occurred interstate. One witness alleged Spillane took part with him in anal intercourse and ''group rape''. However, when he reported it to the school's then priest and college president, Peter Dwyer, he was sent for a psychiatric assessment at Rivendell, an adolescent mental health ward attached to Concord Hospital, the court heard. Dwyer has pleaded not guilty to charges of the sexual assault of students in the 1980s. Spillane is also alleged to have indecently assaulted two sisters in their bed at their home on separate occasions, simulating or attempting to have sexual intercourse with them. The court also heard that another former priest from St Stanislaus College had signed a typed admission to ''hypnotising'' boys in 1967 for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with teachers. The magistrate, Jane Culver, granted bail to Spillane but imposed harsher conditions, including that he report daily to police and not be involved with any child under the age of 16, except for relatives. His surety was also increased from $10,000 to $20,000. Spillane's lawyer, Phillip Boulten, SC, argued that the case against his client had been tainted due to media reports and the publication of allegations on an alleged victim's website. Spillane has been excused from appearing when his case is next in court in November.
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