More Complainants Accuse Former Salesian College Principal Frank Klep
By Shannon Deery
FIVE new complainants have accused a former Salesian college principal of assaulting them, a court has heard. Frank Klep, 69, was charged with multiple counts of indecent assault allegedly committed between 1974 and 1984 earlier this year. At a Melbourne Magistrates Court committal hearing today the court heard five new alleged victims had made allegations of indecent assault by Mr Klep to police. It is alleged the former Rupertswood College sexually assaulted students during the 1970s and 1980s at the school and another school in Chadstone. The Salesians have previously denied allegations they moved Mr Klep to Samoa after investigations into sex assault allegations began. The former principal is one of three Salesians from Rupertswood College currently facing criminal proceedings. Former vice-principal David Rapson is due to stand trial at the County Court later this year charged with abusing boys at the school between 1973 and 1990. Fr Julian Fox was last month charged with offences, including buggery, indecent assault and common law assault, after returning from Rome. Police allege the 67-year-old former principal assaulted students at Rupertswood, between 1976 and 1985. In 1988 he became the Australian head of the Salesians, the second largest Catholic order n the world. Fr Fox, a former principal of the college, moved to Fiji in 1999 before allegations of child sexual abuse were made public. He later moved to Rome, where he worked for the Salesian head office, 10km from the Vatican. Eleven fresh charges have also been laid against former Eltham parish priest Wilfred James Baker. The 76-year-old is now facing 25 charges after several new complainants came forward. He will return to court for a committal hearing in August. Mr Klep will return to court later this month. Contact: Shannon.deery@news.com.au
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