Two Vic Priests Face Further Abuse Charges

By Belinda Merhab
Sydney Morning Herald
May 3, 2013

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/two-vic-priests-face-further-abuse-charges-20130503-2ixo0.html

More complainants have come forward alleging they were sexually abused by two accused pedophile priests, a Melbourne court has heard.

Former Rupertswood College principal Frank Gerard Klep, 69, of Burwood, appeared for a committal mention on Friday over six charges of indecently assaulting a male at Sunbury and Chadstone in 1974.

The hearing was adjourned to May 31 after the Melbourne Magistrates Court was told another five complainants had come forward with allegations against Klep.

Eleven fresh charges have also been laid against former Eltham parish priest Wilfred James Baker.

The 76-year-old, who appeared in court clutching a walking frame, is now facing 25 charges after several new complainants came forward.

Four of his six alleged male victims are from the same family.

The alleged offences took place between 1966 and 1979 at Brighton, Glen Waverley and Gladstone Park in Melbourne, Apollo Bay on Victoria's southwest coast and Maryborough, north of Ballarat.

Baker is charged with indecent assault and gross indecency.

He is also charged with three counts of buggery against three male children under the age of 14.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Felicity Broughton extended Baker's bail and ordered him to reappear for a four-day contested committal hearing in August.

The court heard witnesses would give evidence via videolink from remote locations, possibly including Indonesia and the US.