Knox swim director charged with possessing child abuse material

A 30-year-old employee of a private school on Sydney’s north shore has been charged with possessing child abuse material. It has also emerged that the accused is a current member of several surf life saving clubs on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Nicholas Warby, 30, has charged with possessing child abuse material.

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The head of swimming at an elite Sydney private school is facing the possibility of jail time after he was charged with possessing child porn when a colleague allegedly accessed images on his mobile phone.

Knox Grammar School aquatic sports director Nick Warby, 30, was granted bail in Hornsby Local Court today after his colleague allegedly made the discovery when the phone was left at the Wahroonga school’s pool and raised the alarm on Monday.

Nick Warby leaves Hornsby Local Court in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Police arrested Warby and searched his home, allegedly finding powerful drugs ice and GHB in his car and also seizing multiple mobile phones and USB sticks.

According to his social media, Warby has worked at Knox – which has annual fees upwards of $32,000 - for the past three years and was a senior surf life saver with Surf Life Saving NSW for 16 years across Sydney’s northern beaches.

A letter sent to the parents of school children at Knox Grammar School following the arrest of Nicholas Warby.

In court, Sergeant Mark Newman said Warby, who has been charged with possessing child porn and drugs, could be facing a full time prison sentence if convicted because he also allegedly admitted to police he downloaded and disseminated child abuse material in an interview.

“The seriousness of this matter is not just possession … those admissions extend to download and disseminate and could result in a full time custodial sentence,” Sergeant Newman said.

“I can indicate that there is a broad range of images that have been seen by detectives so far.”

Sergeant Newman said material found on one USB was not downloaded from the internet but given to Warby by someone.

“The USB was obtained with the material already on it,” he said.

Knox Grammar School principal Scott James wrote to parents in a letter today confirming Warby had been stood down.

“Yesterday afternoon, a colleague discovered inappropriate internet images on a mobile phone which we believe (allegedly) belongs to a staff member,” Mr James wrote.

“The images were immediately brought to the attention of the headmaster and police were alerted.

“(Police) have advised us that there is currently no suggestion that the images relate to Knox boys or swim centre students.”

A Surf Life Saving NSW spokeswoman also said Warby had been suspended pending the investigation.

“The individual is a current member of several surf lifesaving clubs on Sydney’s Northern Beaches,” she said.

“The safety of our members and in particular children and young people is paramount and the organisation acts immediately in instances such as this.”

Knox Grammar Aquatic Centre. Picture: Phillip Ly

The father of a Year 8 student at the school said he had known Warby for the past two years.

“For the past two years I’ve hardly seen him in the pools or approaching boys,” he said.

“My son swims for the school at state level and I’ve known Warby for two years.

“He mostly works in an administration capacity.

“If he was a coach I’d be more concerned.

“He’s a nice guy.”

The mother of a student in Year 8 said she thought it was being “sensationalised because it’s Knox”.

“I have nothing but praise for the school,” she said. “I have no concerns about Knox and have every faith in the school.”

Other parents were equally shocked, with a mother of a Year 7 student saying the had improved the school.

“I’m definitely concerned and am quite shocked. My son in Year 7 has been swimming here since he was in Kindy and I know Nick. Since he’s been here everything has changed for the better. I’m a full-time mum so always sit and watch and have my eyes on my son when he’s in the pool and never saw anything bad. Nick does perfect and brilliant work so that’s why I’m so shocked. I don’t want to accept it. As staff, he’s supposed to be a role model. My husband and I have to speak to our son tonight,” she said.

The parents did not wish to be named.

Warby, who was supported in court by his parents, must reside at their exclusive Bayview home and report to Dee Why police station weekly while on bail.

He will return to court on August 27.