Former teacher Anthony Virgo pleaded guilty to three counts of persistent sexual exploitation of a child

A man who worked at a southern suburbs secondary school potentially faces imprisonment for life after pleading guilty to multiple serious child sex offences.

A former teacher has admitted his guilt to historic child sex charges but it has been confirmed none of the charges relate to students at the latest school he worked at.

Anthony Rex Virgo, 58, pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to three counts of persistent sexual exploitation of a child.

The maximum penalty for that charge is imprisonment for life.

The McLaren Flat man committed the offences between June, 1986 and December, 1988 at Hillbank.

Anthony Virgo pleaded guilty to three counts of persistent sexual exploitation of a child. Picture: Lucy Rutherford

In a letter sighted by the Messenger sent to parents and caregivers of the southern suburbs secondary school Virgo previously worked at, it was confirmed that the charges did not involve any students at the school.

“Mr Virgo has bail conditions that prevent him engaging in any child related work or volunteering,” the letter said.

“He has been directed away from the workplace and instructed not to attend the school pending the outcome of the police investigation and prosecution.

“He has not worked at our school since 28 August 2020.”

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Michael Woods, for Virgo, entered pleas of guilty to the three charges on his client’s behalf.

However, he noted that there was issue with the factual basis of count one.

Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal committed Virgo to the Adelaide District Court for arraignment in May.