Kellyville High School deputy principal charged with online child exploitation
A distinguished Sydney high school deputy principal allegedly posted an advert online seeking “Indian or Filo teens”. See the advert.
NSW
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A distinguished Sydney high school deputy principal allegedly posted an advert online seeking “Indian or Filo teens” before the self-proclaimed “Aussie daddy” tried to pay for sex with a 14-year-old.
Kellyville High School maths teacher Damien Wanstall, 47, did not enter a plea in Fairfield Local Court to using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 years for sexual activity and using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
Both charges hold a maximum 15-year jail term.
The Rouse Hill father did not apply for bail. The matter was adjourned to next Tuesday.
Police will allege in court Wanstall posted an ad to Locanto on December 3 titled: “Any legal Indian or Filo teens want fun”.
Alleged facts state the ad said: “40yo Aussie daddy seeking sexy play this weekend. Will reward. Can host discreetly. Rouse Hill”.
His request raised concerns with Strike Force Trawler detectives who proactively trawl the net looking for child exploitation material.
Police responded to Wanstall’s ad pretending they were a 14-year-old girl.
They will allege in court Wanstall spoke about sex acts he wished to perform on the child and made arrangements to meet and pay her for sex.
He was arrested on Monday after he arranged a meet-up with the girl about 4.30am in Westmead.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Acting Superintendent Chris Goddard said there was no archetype for a person who committed child sex crimes.
“It’s very concerning for any adult to try and engage a 14-year-old for sexual activity,” Detective Goddard said.
Detective Goddard said alleged offenders can come from all walks of life.
“We have professionals, businessmen, tradies … anyone can use these platforms for badness.
“We are doing our best to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”
Detectives searched Wanstall’s home and seized several items including a laptop and a memory card.
Wanstall has a long history in the NSW education system. He has been at his current role for nine years, according to his Linkedin account.
He has also taught at Windsor High School, Blacktown Girls High School and Blacktown Boys High School.
A school newsletter describes Wanstall as an “outstanding and innovative teacher of mathematics” and said “the students love his classes from Year 7 to Year 12”.
He was also given an Excellence in Leadership award at the Western Sydney Secondary Principals Council ceremony in 2019.
The deputy principal has 1631 followers on Twitter, including Bill Shorten.
Wanstall describes himself as a “proud dad and uncle” and a “lifelong learner” in his Twitter bio.
An NSW Education Department spokesman said Wanstall had been told not to attend to the school.
“This person is no longer undertaking duties at Kellyville High School and has been directed not to attend,” he said.
“The person will not be taking any other duties at the department. This direction will remain in place while this matter is before the courts.
“Counselling support is being provided at the school for students and staff.”
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL ALLEGEDLY ASKED FOR SEX ON CLASSIFIEDS
A deputy principal at a northwest Sydney high school allegedly tried to pay a 14-year-old girl for sex after posting an advert on a classifieds website.
Damian Wanstall, 47, the deputy principal at Kellyville High School, was arrested in Westmead on Monday following an investigation by detectives from the child abuse and sex crime’s squad.
Police will allege he tried to arrange to meet and pay a 14-year-old girl for sex after posting an advert to classifieds website Locanto. However it was actually detectives posing as the teenager.
Police will further allege he sent messages about sexually explicit acts he wished to perform on the girl and had planned to meet with her in Western Sydney.
Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Goddard said a computer and memory card seized at a Rouse Hill home will undergo forensic examination.
“There’s nothing at this stage to indicate a pattern of behaviour, but again that will form part of our investigation, bearing in mind this investigation is short in nature … time frame … so we will be going back and exploring other avenues and aspects of his online activities,” he said.
Police arrested Mr Wanstall at Westmead about 4.30pm yesterday before taking him to Granville Police Station where he was charged with using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 years for sexual activity and use carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
His bail was refused and is expected to front Fairfield Local Court today.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the child abuse and sex crimes squad into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the group; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
The child abuse and sex crimes squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
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