Former priest, Michael Francis Reis, who taught at several Catholic girls schools in Queensland and Victoria, has been jailed for six months for indecently touching young girls. Reis, 66, pleaded guilty yesterday in the Brisbane District Court to five counts of indecent treatment of girls under 14 and two counts of indecent treatment of girls under 16, The Australian reports.
The court was told the first victim was aged 13 in 1984 when she was assaulted five times at her Brisbane home.
Prosecutor Maita Aylward told the court Reis would hug the girl and touch her on the breasts and the vagina.
The court was told he eventually stopped of his own accord because he realised his actions were wrong.
However, 10 years later he relapsed and assaulted a second girl at Caboolture, north of Brisbane.
The court was told the second victim was aged between 10 and 13 at the time.
Ms Aylward told the court the trio participated in mediation run by the Catholic Church, and that all took part in counselling.
She said a psychiatrist told Reis he did not require further counselling, and that he promptly gained employment at a Catholic school in Victoria.
Ms Aylward said the victims were so upset upon hearing he was still in contact with young girls that they reported their abuse to police, who arrested Reis early this year.
Despite remorse expressed by Reis, Judge Kerry O'Brien said the offences were serious sentencing him to 18 months' jail, suspended after six months.
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(Source: CTHN)