Disgraced Taree teacher Paul Hunt case on child abuse material delayed
The case involving a disgraced Mid-North Coast teacher and radio host facing child abuse material charges has been delayed. Find out why.
Mid-North Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mid-North Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A search operation at the prison where former teacher and radio host Paul Hunt is being held on remand in relation to child abuse material charges has interrupted court proceedings.
Hunt has been in custody since his arrest on the night of Saturday, November 19, after police officers executed a search warrant at his Tinonee home following a tip off earlier that week. Tinonee is a small village near Taree.
The 57-year-old has been charged with possess child abuse material, disseminate child abuse material and possess prohibited drug.
He was denied bail in Taree Local Court on November 21 and the case was adjourned to Tuesday.
A legal representative acting on behalf of Hunt’s lawyer Brian Walker told the court on Tuesday morning that a prison search operation currently underway was hampering efforts to “confirm instructions from the client”.
He asked for a week’s adjournment “so Mr Walker can confirm just what the plea will be”.
Magistrate Allison Hawkins agreed to adjourn the case to December 14.
MORE DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT HIGH PROFILE FIGURE
When officers searched Hunt’s Tinonee home after a tip off, they seized several items, including mobile phones, laptops and electronic storage devices, to undergo forensic examination.
Police will allege Hunt was accessing and sending child abuse material through a mobile phone app.
Going by the name ‘The Slunter’, Hunt presented the weekly music show Terra Australis and Ship of Fools on 2 BOB community radio for many years.
He has performed with local musicians and been an MC for a number of local events including the annual EnviroFair at Taree.
Hunt was featured in a Wingham High School newsletter in term three of 2020, when he was an English teacher there at the time.
It was following the devastating fire season of 2019/2020 and Hunt had recently completed his bushfire assessment and joined the Tinonee Rural Fire Service brigade.
The NSW Education Department was contacted for comment and a spokesperson provided the following statement:
“The person is no longer teaching at a NSW public school,” the spokesman said.
“As this is a NSW Police matter, we are unable to provide further comment.”
The NSW RFS was also contacted for comment but did not respond.
In a letter tendered to the court from Drinkwater Criminal lawyers in support of his initial bail application on November 21, it was outlined that if given bail Hunt would agree to have only one phone, and not use the WickrMe app.
The instant messaging app allows users to exchange end-to-end encrypted and content-expiring messages, including photos, videos and file attachments.
The letter also stated Hunt would agree to use only one mobile phone and not be in the presence of anybody younger than 16.
The lawyer representing him at the time told the court the alleged offending which sparked the two charges was conducted over two months and “only” related to five images and that his lack of prior criminal convictions should be considered.
‘Gutted’: Surf club, hotel under threat in horror night for firies
A ferocious blaze tore through a hotel with guests evacuated while a bushfire on a headland threatened a surf lifesaving club in a busy night for firefighters.
Northern NSW health workers in line for state awards
Healthcare workers from across the Mid and North coasts have been named as finalists in this year's NSW Health Awards for their stellar work.