Predator priest Frank Klep has so much to give, lawyer tells court

By Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
April 8, 2014

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/predator-priest-frank-klep-has-so-much-to-give-lawyer-tells-court/story-fni0fee2-1226877888183

Frank Klep at a previous court appearance.

A PREDATOR priest who abused 15 boys across two decades should not die in jail because he has “so much to give” the community, his lawyer says.

Frank Klep’s crimes were so sick he was banned from working with children, stripped of his priestly duties and ultimately laicised by the Catholic Church.

But seeking mercy on his behalf today, Julie Sutherland, SC, told County Court judge Frank Gucciardo her 70-year-old client was a valuable member of the community.

“He clearly has so much to give. There are people in the community who could benefit by the help (and) comfort of this man,” she said.

Ms Sutherland said he had worked tirelessly for the community, fundraising for charity, and supporting drug addicts and victims of sexual abuse.

She said he felt a “genuine, heartfelt remorse” and was “profoundly sorry and ashamed” for the pain he had caused his victims.

Klep sexually abused 15 schoolboys at Salesian College Rupertswood in Sunbury while working there between 1973 to 1984.

He is one of a string of priests who worked there at the time who have since been convicted of horrific crimes against children.

He has already served one prison term for similar offences.

It is the third time he has either pleaded guilty to or been convicted of indecently assaulting schoolboys.

The court heard today he preyed on many of his victims as they lay ill in the school’s sick bay, which he operated.

Several of the boys awoke during the night to find Klep had removed their pants and was fondling their genitals.

One boy was pinned to his bed and raped.

Klep pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault, buggery, attempted buggery and rape.

Ms Sutherland urged Judge Gucciardo not to impose a prison term that would see Klep die behind bars.

She said he had pleaded guilty to the offences at an early opportunity, had lost his career, and had been publicly disgraced.

“He went from priest to pariah. He remains a pariah,” she said.

Klep, who has been remanded in custody, will be sentenced next month.