Brisbane teacher Lucas John Gill charged with possessing child exploitation material also coached netball

Police will allege a Brisbane school teacher and community netball coach was caught with child abuse material that includes images of children being raped and tortured.

Lucas John Gill has been charged with possessing child exploitation material. Picture: Tara Croser.

A Brisbane teacher charged with possessing child exploitation material also taught netball outside of the school, prompting an appeal from police for anyone with information about him to come forward.

Mount Maria College teacher Lucas John Gill, 41, has taught in the north Brisbane and Ipswich areas.

He also appeared in a promotional video for a registered training organisation which has now been removed online.

It’s understood the child exploitation material allegedly discovered on Gill’s electronic devices included images of children being raped and tortured.

Police allege the victims pictured in the material range in age from toddlers to pre-pubescent children and teenagers.

The Queensland College of Teachers has now fully suspended Gill’s teaching registration.

Detectives from Brisbane Inner West Child Protection Unit and Taskforce Argos arrested him on Tuesday.

Lucas John Gill leaves Brisbane Watchhouse after being granted bail. Picture: Tara Croser.

“A search warrant was executed at an address in Chermside after police received advice the 41-year-old man, a high school teacher and sports coach, had been accessing CEM via a publicly available website overseas which provides end-to-end encrypted cloud storage,” police said in a statement.

“During the search police seized a number of electronic items, including a laptop and phone alleged to contain further CEM.

“Investigations are underway to determine the identity of the females depicted in the CEM and whether they may be linked to the man.

“Detectives are appealing for any victims who may have had contact with the man, believed to be mostly from the North Brisbane and Ipswich areas, to come forward.”

“The Chermside man has been charged with three counts each of possessing child exploitation material and use carriage service to access child abuse material.”

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Mark Gorton opposed Gill’s bail application.

Lawyer Corey Cullen appeared for Gill who he said would be willing to abide by any conditions the court deemed appropriate.

Magistrate Robert Walker granted Gill bail on conditions including that he report to police once a week, reside at his Chermside address and have no contact with children under 16.

Gill will also be barred from accessing the internet unless he is using it for banking, education and employment purposes.

His case was adjourned to August 16.