Banksia Park International High School teacher Douglas Loudon charged

A music teacher working in Adelaide’s northeast has been charged with sex offences involving a teenager – just hours after a separate teacher’s arrest was revealed by a nearby school.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Charges against Douglas Loudon were withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions on August 9, 2024.

 

A music teacher at Banksia Park International High School is the second SA teacher in the past month to be charged with aggravated indecent assault.

Douglas Loudon, 35, was arrested by Northern District CIB detectives at his northern suburbs home on May 11.

Principal Natasa Penna sent a letter to parents on May 19 informing them of Mr Loudon’s arrest.

Banksia Park International High School letter to Parents and caregivers. Picture: Supplied.

“I regret to inform you that a teacher at our school, Mr Douglas Loudon, was arrested by police and recently appeared in court,” she said.

“The teacher has been suspended from duty and is prevented from attending the school or engaging in any child related work or volunteering.”

Ms Penna went on to encourage parents to contact police if they have any information to assist the investigation.

“I understand this is distressing information,” she said.

“I am concerned about the welfare of children who have had contact with the teacher.”

Mr Loudon was charged with aggravated indecent assault which police allege to have occurred in 2021.

7News reported that the offence was against a teenager at the school between December 1 and December 31, 2021.

Police also charged him with possession of a prescribed firearm after they allegedly located and seized an imitation weapon.

The music teacher was further charged with possession of a prescribed firearm.

Mr Loudon appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on May 12.

A spokeswoman from the Department for Education said they will not be making any further comment as the matter is under investigation by police.

This comes as a 62-year-old teacher at Golden Grove High School has also been arrested for aggravated indecent assault.

It is alleged the incident occurred in May and involved a teenage girl who is known to the man.

A letter from principal Peter Kuss, obtained by The Advertiser on Wednesday, informed parents that a teacher had been arrested and charged with aggravated indecent assault.

“The teacher was directed away from the workplace and has bail conditions that prevent them from engaging in any child related work,” Mr Kuss wrote in the letter.

Banksia Park International High School. Picture: SA Govt

“I will keep you informed of the progress of the prosecution and provide you with more information when it becomes available.

“The information available to the school suggests there is no need for concern for any other children at the school.”

Mr Kuss appealed for any information to assist police in their investigation.

The man was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on July 6.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher referred to people charged with these offences as ‘monsters’.

“People who do this are vile monsters and deserve the full affect of the law,” he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government is going to “make sure justice is done”.

Originally published as Banksia Park International High School teacher Douglas Loudon charged