Original article
09/01/09
THE evidence against former NSW priests accused of historical sexual assaults painted "a picture of rampant paedophilia" in Bathurst schools, a court heard today as one fights for his liberty.
A former Father at St Stanislaus College, Brian Joseph Spillane has been charged with a fourth round of offences relating to alleged sexual assaults at the prestigious school.
The charges relate to alleged sexual assaults on students at the school more than 20 years ago.
A number of the men charged were members of the Vincentian Order on the staff at the college in the 1970s and 1980s.
Spillane is now accused of a total of 146 charges of indecency and sexual abuse against 27 victims - three of whom were girls.
Crown Prosecutor Beth Walker today asked a Downing Centre Local Court to refuse bail on the new charges and revoke bail granted on the old ones.
"In my submission, the brief of evidence presents a picture of rampant paedophilia," she said, citing a string of corroborating witness statements.
Spillane's barrister Philip Boulten SC is expected to mount a heavy case for his client to remain on bail this afternoon.
The hearing continues before Magistrate Jane Culver.
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