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	Priest Sex Abuse Trial ABC July 26, 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/26/1989446.htm?site=northtas Australia — A former Burnie priest has been accused of using his popularity with students to sexually assault three youths. 71 year old Roger Michael Bellemore has pleaded not guilty to three counts of maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person under the age of 17. The offences are alleged to have taken place while Bellemore was working as a priest at Burnie's Marist College in the late 1960s and early 70s. In opening statements the prosecutor, Michael Stoddart told the Launceston Criminal Court the three boys were boarders at the college. He said because of difficult family circumstances they were vulnerable to being mistreated. He said they looked up to Bellemore. Defence lawyer Greg Walsh said Marist college in those years wasn't a pleasant place, with harsh discipline and bad food. He said those conditions can breed a considerable degree of ill-will. Mr Walsh told the jury by law, Bellemore was not required to take the stand in the trial, but he said his client will deny the allegations.
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