Former Cedar College worker Simon Jettner allegedly indecently assaulted students, court told

A former staff member at a private school in Adelaide’s inner-north has faced court on charges of allegedly indecently assaulting several teenage girls.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Simon Jettner was found not guilty by Magistrate Brian Nitschke on September 12, 2024.

 

A former student support officer at a private school in Adelaide’s inner-north has faced court charged with five counts of indecent assault.

Simon Andrew Jettner, 46, of Banksia Park appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court Wednesday for the first time.

The court heard he is alleged to have inappropriately touched female students on five occasions over a two-year period while working as a student services officer at Cedar College, Northgate.

A police prosecutor told the court the offences involved “a number of counts, various students” who were aged 14 and 15 at the time.

The offences date back some years.

The prosecutor told the court the allegations included an incident where he put his arms around a 14-year-old female student and pressed his body against her, touching her hands.

He is also alleged to have “pressed against (a female student) during class from behind”.

It is further alleged he “smacked the bottom” of a 15-year-old on two separate occasions.

Simon Andrew Jettner leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court with a supporter on Wednesday.

The prosecutor said Mr Jettner also allegedly “picked up the victim, hugged her... (and) kissed the victim on the lips”.

The court heard he was banned from communicating directly or indirectly with any student, teacher, administration staff or other people associated with the school.

The prosecutor said she would apply to the court to include a condition of his bail agreement banning Mr Jettner from working with children.

Magistrate Jayne Basheer declined to make the variation without a formal application, saying the allegations were “fairly dated” and there may be some time before the matter reaches trial.

Craig Caldicott, for Mr Jettner, said his client was not currently working.

Mr Jettner returns to court in December but the case is expected to be called back on earlier for prosectors to formally apply to have Mr Jettner banned form working with children.

Cedar College principal Peter Thomson confirmed a former member of its “non-teaching high school staff” was facing indecent assault charges.

“The college community has been notified and we encourage anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Mr Thomson said.

“As the matter is currently before the courts, the college cannot provide any other information to the media at this time.”