A FORMER student of a Catholic school where boys were allegedly sexually abused by three former staff has told a court he witnessed the abuse and was expelled for reporting it.
Catholic Brother John Gaven, priest Peter Dwyer and former priest Brian Spillane face a total of 128 child sex charges relating to the alleged molestation of boys at St Stanslaus` College in central west New South Wales in the 1970s and 1980s.
Mr Spillane, 65, from Narwee in Sydney`s southwest, appeared in Bathurst Local Court today on 93 charges relating to more than eight victims.
His barrister, Greg Walsh also mentioned the cases of Father Dwyer and Mr Gaven before Magistrate Thomas Hodgson, saying all three men were pleading not guilty to all charges.
One of the complainants, who has made claims against all three men, told the court today he had witnessed the abuse of up to 60 fellow students.
Now in his 30s, the man said he was expelled from the school after making a complaint in 1986, when he was in Year 7.
A solicitor for the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, Elizabeth Walker, told the court the case was rapidly expanding.
"Your honour, I believe that there may be up to 100 additional statements," Ms Walker told the court.
"There may be up to 40 complainants in respect to Mr Spillane alone."
Former students of the college have come forward with allegations that boys were sexually abused during hypnotic late-night prayer and chanting sessions.
