Alun Rowe charged with maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child
A former school teacher’s identity can be revealed after he was arrested for allegedly maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child for more than a year.
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The identity of a former Catholic schoolteacher can finally be revealed after a suppression order was revoked.
Alun Rowe, 56, faced the Adelaide Magistrate Court on Wednesday where police prosecution withdrew six of his seven charges that relate to having a sexual relationship with one of his students.
Mr Rowe was initially charged with multiple counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 18 while in a position of authority as well as indecent assault and procuring a child for sexual activity.
On Wednesday, prosecution told the court they would no longer be proceeding with all the counts, withdrawing six of them.
Mr Rowe is now only charged with one count of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.
The court heard prosecution were seeking a 14 week adjournment due to the large amount of material they need to sort through.
“There are thousands of emails between the accused and the complainant,” the prosector said.
“Police have done an excellent job at trying to find all the emails, but it will be a lengthy process going through multiple devices, contacting students, teachers and the school to provide material.”
Court documents allege the man was in a position of authority to a girl under the age of 18 when he maintained an unlawful sexual relationship with her between February 2019 and October 2020 in Adelaide and other places.
The documents allege the man performed multiple sex acts on her and made her perform sex acts on herself.
The suppression order was granted at Mr Rowe’s bail application after police submitted revealing his identity may impact any ongoing investigation at that time.
Mr Rowe was arrested back in January and refused bail after prosecutors alleged he had been in contact with the alleged victim after being interviewed by police.
Mr Rowe will face court again in November, where he will answer the charge.
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