Indecent assault charges against relief teacher Phillip Callen dropped

A well-known relief teacher has walked free from court after prosecutors dropped allegations he indecently assaulted a child.

Phillip Callen outside court during an earlier appearance. Indecent assault charges against the ex-relief teacher have been dropped. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Allegations that a relief teacher who has worked at private and public schools across Adelaide indecently assaulted a child have been dropped in court.

On Wednesday, Phillip Andrew Callen appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

He was due to enter a plea to a single child sex charge next month – instead, Mr Callen’s lawyer told the court the case would no longer proceed.

“I understand the single charge on the indictment will be withdrawn,” he said.

Prosecutors said that was correct and withdrew the charge, but offered no explanation for the change in position.

Mr Callen, 67, of Toorak Gardens, had been charged with one aggravated count of having indecently assaulted a child.

Court documents had alleged an offence occurred at Belair between January and June, 2021.

The purported offence was said to be aggravated because the alleged victim was, according to court documents, under the age of 14 years at the time.

The allegation against Mr Callen first came to light when Belair Primary School wrote to parents advising a former temporary teacher had been charged.

Phillip Callen outside court during an earlier appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Mr Callen had worked across primary schools in Adelaide’s inner-south and the Hills over a span of 13 years, including Scotch College.

He ceased working in Education Department schools since November 15, 2021, and his teacher’s registration was cancelled in June 2022.

Throughout his prosecution, Mr Callen denied any wrongdoing and was set to be represented by top barrister Marie Shaw KC.

The case experienced repeated delays, with Mr Callen originally due to enter a plea in November last year.

That was adjourned, however, as police continued to obtain witness statements.

Mr Callen was banned from undertaking any child-related work as a condition of his bail.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Simon Smart formally dismissed the change and released Mr Callen from his bail obligations.

Mr Callen declined to comment outside court.