Complaints about bizarre Melbourne priest

PARISHIONERS' COMPLAINTS ABOUT PARISH PRIEST PETER SEARSON FELL ON DEAF EARS:

AT SUNBURY 1977-1984:

* Strange behaviour

* Mistreatment of staff and parishioners

* Misappropriation of parish funds

* Sexually abused altar boy in 1978 (not subject of complaint at time)

AT DOVETON 1984-1997:

* Made children kneel between knees and sit on lap during confession

* Indecently assaulted grade four girl during confession

* Carried gun at school; threatened two teenagers; offered it to child afraid of dark

* Held knife to girl's chest

* Showed children boy in coffin

* Told parishioners, including pensioners, to give more money to parish

* Swung cat by tail over fence, killing it

OTHERS:

* Formal warning 1993 for `improper and intimidatory conduct against children'

* Put on administrative leave 1997

* Put on good behaviour bond without conviction 1997 for hitting altar boy

* Faculties as priest removed 1998

* Subject of four child sex abuse complaints to church

* Searson (died 2009) never charged or convicted of child sex abuse.