Cronulla teacher, swim coach Craig Chantler wins bail reprieve for Christmas events

Cronulla High teacher and ex-swim coach Craig Chantler is banned from associating with children under the terms of his bail. But a court has made a temporary exception in time for Christmas.

Cronulla High teacher and swim coach Craig Chantler, who is accused of grooming a 15-year-old boy online. Picture: Supplied

A popular schoolteacher and head swim coach banned from associating with children while he awaits trial for allegedly sexually grooming an underage boy online has had his bail conditions temporarily relaxed to allow him to attend a wedding and a family get-together at Christmas.

Craig Chantler was arrested at the Swimmerz Academy swim school in Caringbah during morning practice on April 29 this year following an investigation by Sutherland detectives into allegations a 15-year-old boy had been sexually groomed on social media.

Chantler, who was employed as a PDHPE at Cronulla High School at the time and had previously run for a seat on Sutherland Shire Council, was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity, and using a carriage service to procure a person under 16 years for sexual activity.

A further two men, Sutherland junior rugby league stalwart Robert ‘Bobby’ Cummings’ and Gymea Bay electrician Alan Foy, have also been arrested and charged with online grooming offences relating to the same boy, however The Daily Telegraph understands the cases are not otherwise linked.

Chantler was released on strict bail at the time which included conditions that prevented him from accessing social media apps, contacting anyone under the age of 18 or being involved in any activities that include children, such as Scouts and the youth-focused Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

Craig Chantler pictured outside Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court this week. Picture: John Grainger

In Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court this week, Chantler’s legal team sought a temporary change to his bail conditions to allow their client to attend a family wedding on December 21 and then Christmas Day celebrations at his parents’ house on December 25.

Both events will have people under the age of 18 in attendance, court documents said.

Magistrate Margaret Quinn granted the application, which was not opposed by Commonwealth prosecutors.

The court heard police had also filed a fresh charge of using a carriage service to engage in/plan sexual activity with a person under 16 years against Chantler and one of his co-accused, Alan Foy.

The offence was laid to replace a charge of procuring a child aged 14-16 years for unlawful sexual activity, which was withdrawn.

The cases against all three men will return to court on January 31 for further mention.

Gymea electrician Alan Foy and junior rugby stalwart

Robert Cummings were also charged with separate offences.

Chantler, who was in court for the proceedings, was an active member of the Sutherland community before his arrest, even receiving a community award in 2017 from former prime minister Scott Morrison for his dedication to the local Scouting movement.

Chantler no longer works at Swimmerz Academy and a spokesman for the NSW Department of Education earlier this year confirmed Chantler had been removed from Cronulla High and placed on “alternative duties” where he has no contact with students.