Former Salesian College Principal Frank Klep Pleads Guilty to 14 Sex Charges

By Shannon Deery
The Herald Sun
December 2, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/former-salesian-college-principal-frank-klep-pleads-guilty-to-14-sex-charges/story-fni0fee2-1226773409215

Frank Klep at a previous court appearance.

FORMER Salesian College principal Frank Klep has pleaded guilty to a string of sex crimes against students at the college.

The 69-year-old former priest pleaded guilty to 14 charges at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court this morning after prosecutors withdrew a further 22 charges.

Klep abused a several students at the college, including while acting as rector of the school, while teaching there during the 1970s and 1980s.

The convicted pedophile, who was jailed in 2005 for similar offending, was re-arrested by police this year after new victims came forward.

One victim told police Klep abused him just weeks after starting at the college when the priest saw him crying.

"He started talking to me and gave me a hug," he said.

"I can still remember the smell of his jumper, I think it was the smell of cheap detergent.

"He would also give me shoulder rubs. He said things to me like, 'If you do what I say things will get better as time goes on.'"

Another student said he was abused after visiting the school infirmary and passing out.

"The next thing I knew I woke up on Klep's bed. I was trying to get my bearings and I saw that my pants had been pulled down."

The Salesians have previously denied that they moved Klep to Samoa after investigations into sex assault allegations first surfaced.

Klep, who is on bail, will return to court in April for a County Court plea hearing.

Contact: shannon.deery@news.com.au