Former Christian Brother pleads guilty to sexual assault
A former Christian Brother has pleaded guilty to historic sexual assault charges dating back to his time working at a South Melbourne orphanage in the early 1970s.
Rex Francis Elmer, 75, on Monday pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawfully and indecently assaulting boys under the age of 16.
Rex Francis Elmer, also known as Brother Ignatius, after a previous court appearance in 2018.Credit:AAP/Daniel Pockett
The 75-year-old admitted to assaulting a boy between January 1, 1971 and December 31, 1972.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a second victim between January 1, 1972 and December 31, 1974.
At the time, Elmer was working at St Vincent's Boys Home, a South Melbourne residential facility for wards of the state.
A number of other charges relating to a third victim were on Monday dropped by the Office of Public Prosecutions, crown prosecutor David Glynn told the court.
Elmer joined the Christian Brothers in the early 1960s in St Kilda, Melbourne. He was also known as Rex Ignatius Elmer.
He sat in the dock wearing a blue shirt and dark suit during the short hearing on Monday.
His bail was extended to July 28, when he will return to court for a plea hearing.
National sexual assault helpline 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. If you are troubled by this report or experiencing a personal crisis, you can call Lifeline on 131 114.