Christian Brother pleads guilty to sex abuse

A TASMANIAN-BORN Christian Brother has pleaded guilty to abusing two children under his care at a Victorian boys home in the 1970s.

Rex Francis Elmer, also known as Brother Ignatius, pleaded guilty yesterday in the County Court of Victoria to two charges of indecently and unlawfully assaulting a male aged under 16, and another aged under 18, between 1971 and 1974.

The 75-year-old only spoke in court to state he pleaded “guilty” to the two charges.

Elmer had worked as a teacher and boarding house carer at the St Vincent’s Boys’ Home at South Melbourne.

Each dormitory housed boys according to their age and a brother was responsible for those within that group.

Between January 1, 1971, and December 31, 1972, Elmer placed his hand down one boy’s pyjamas and molested him, court documents state.

The victim had been asleep in his dorm bed when Elmer woke him, threw off his bedding and demanded he follow instructions.

There were up to 40 children who slept in that dormitory.

Between January 1, 1972, and December 31, 1974, Elmer assaulted his second victim.

Elmer had the boy sit on his lap as he showed him a sex education book while performing a sex act, court documents state.

Several other charges relating to a third victim were dropped and a trial on those charges discontinued.

Elmer, who was born at Deloraine, joined the Christian Brothers in the 1960s. He has been bailed to appear in court on July 28 for a further plea hearing.