NSW Catholic high school teacher charged with having sex with 17-year-old student
|
Version 0 of 1. A 39-year old man at All Saints’ College in Maitland was charged with nine counts of sexual intercourse with a person under his care A Catholic high school teacher in the New South Wales Hunter region has been charged with having sex with a 17-year-old student following a police investigation. Police said they arrested the 39-year-old teacher at All Saints’ College in Maitland at the local police station on 28 March. He was charged with nine counts of sexual intercourse with a person under his care. The teacher was granted conditional bail to appear before Maitland local court at the end of the month, police said. The man was placed on “administrative leave” last month after being accused of serious misconduct. At the time, the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic diocese released a statement saying the school’s leadership had been made aware of the allegations. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup The allegations were immediately reported to the relevant authorities, the diocese said. The diocese this week said the teacher remained on leave. “The diocese of Maitland-Newcastle places the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons first,” it said in a statement. “All allegations are responded to and taken seriously.” The diocese said it “appreciates the responsibility of updating” the school community. “However, this must be balanced against ensuring the integrity of the investigations being undertaken and protecting the privacy of all other parties,” it said. “No further comment can be provided at this time.” The diocese said it would take “appropriate action” against the teacher once the investigation was completed. It said it was keeping the Office of the Children’s Guardian – the state’s child safety authority – updated on the situation. The Office of the Children’s Guardian has been contacted for comment. |