A former Catholic priest allegedly fondled boys while he was their dorm master at a Victorian boarding school, a court has heard.
James Patrick Jennings, 80, has pleaded not guilty to six counts of indecent assault that allegedly occurred at St Vincent's College in Bendigo in the 1960s.
The charges arose from complaints from three former students who were in their early teens at the time.
Crown prosecutor Susan Borg said one complainant was abused by Jennings over a five-year period.
The first alleged incident occurred when the boy, then 13, was called to Jennings' room at the college one night, the Victorian County Court heard on Tuesday.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Jennings told him to sit on his lap, which the victim did, then he proceeded to indecently assault him, the prosecution alleges.
Jennings then allegedly grabbed the victim's hand and directed him to do the same to him.
Jennings told the victim he "owed him one", the prosecution said.
The court heard a second boy, aged 12, was first assaulted when he woke one night to find Jennings sitting by his bed and touching him.
The boy and the third victim were allegedly indecently assaulted at the college sick bay.
Defence attorney Mark Hird said Jennings will give evidence denying the accusations.
He said Jennings had made denials to police but would subject himself to cross-examination.
"It simply didn't happen," Mr Hird told the court.
The trial continues.
