Former priest Brian Spillane has been sentenced to nine years in jail for a number of sexual assaults on young girls described by the presiding judge as "serious, planned and callous".

Sentencing Spillane, 69, Judge Michael Finnane said: "The offender used his position as a priest to gain access to the homes in which each of his victims lived. Because of his position as a priest and because of his standing in the community generally, he was very trusted and the parents of each of the victims readily gave him access to their daughters."

Jailed ... former priest Brian Spillane. Credit:Dean Sewell

The assaults began 30 years ago when Spillane was on the staff of St Stanislaus' College in Bathurst. After ingratiating himself with the family of two boys at the school, he abused their sister, then aged 11.

"This was the conduct of a violent bully and coward, done without regard to the effect it would have on the young girl," said Judge Finnane.