Alleged sex predator Catholic schoolteacher bailed, has more ‘potential victims’, court hears

A Catholic schoolteacher accused of maintaining a year-long sexual relationship with one of his students has been released on bail despite police investigating more “potential victims”.

A Catholic schoolteacher accused of maintaining a year-long sexual relationship with a student at his Adelaide school has been released on bail despite concerns he could interfere with the continuing investigation.

The 56-year-old married man, whose name is suppressed to protect the ongoing investigation, is 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 Friday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard police had seized the man’s electronic devices, including his phone, in the aftermath of his arrest in January this year.

As part of the investigation officers reviewed the devices and identified more “potential victims” of the man, who were in the process of being contacted by police.

The prosecutor argued the man should be held in custody for at least the next month as the investigation continued.

“There is a view that this man will interfere with the investigation,” the prosecutor said.

“He has attempted to contact individuals in the past and there is a risk, even while on home detention, he could do so again.”

Casey Isaacs, for the man, said his client had been stood down from the school in August last year when he had first been interviewed by police.

He was arrested in January and refused bail after prosecutors alleged he had been in contact with the alleged victim after being interviewed by police.

Mr Isaacs said police had had sufficient opportunity to investigate his client in the more-than six months since the first interview.

Magistrate Brian Nitschke noted police were able to lawfully analyse the man’s phone and computer only after his arrest in January.

Mr Nitschke said he was willing to release the man on bail, but only under strict conditions that would keep him from contacting any current or former teachers and students of the school.

The man is also prevented from approaching or communicating with any child under the age of 18.

The name and location of the school have been suppressed in order to protect the ongoing investigation.

The man will face court again in August.