Ex-Trinity College teacher, Matthew Corey Schulz, faces court charged with child sex abuse, sexual intercourse without consent
An ex-teacher at a popular Adelaide private school has appeared in court charged with sex offences, as he claims he was “good friends” with a world-famous rock star.
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A teacher, Adelaide Fringe performer and self-described “good friend” of US rock band Faith No More’s legendary frontman has faced court charged with serious child sex charges.
Matthew Corey Schulz, 45, of Cockatoo Valley, appeared in the Mount Barker Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
He has yet to plead to one count of being an adult who sexually abused a child, and two counts of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without consent.
Court documents allege the offence occurred between 2011 and 2012 at a location in the northern suburbs.
Under state law, the offence of sexually abusing a child carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Mr Schulz was working at Trinity College at Gawler when arrested, but the allegations do not arise from his time there nor do they involve any students of the school.
In a staff biography published in an online college newsletter, Mr Schulz says he has 11 years’ teaching experience.
He lists his specialties as English, humanities and social sciences, and his “most embarrassing moment” as falling into a lake “in front of my Year 7 class”.
Mr Schulz says he “was good friends” with American singer-songwriter Mike Patton, of rock bands Faith No More and Mr Bungle.
He describes himself as a fan of David Bowie and supporter of Chelsea FC, and says he has both performed in the Adelaide Fringe and hosted his own radio show.
Mr Schulz says his “most successful achievement in life” is “becoming a father”.
In June, parents at Mr Schulz’s current school – Trinity College, based at Gawler, north of Adelaide – received a letter from its administration concerning the charges.
Head of college Nick Hately said the school had been notified the charges concerned alleged offending at a different school “over a decade ago”.
“The individual concerned has been suspended from duty and is not permitted to enter Trinity College or any other location associated with our college,” he wrote.
“I can confirm that the charges do not relate to any student currently or previously enrolled at Trinity College.
He subsequently told The Advertiser Mr Schulz had a clear Working With Children check and valid teacher registration when the school employed him.
On Wednesday, counsel for Mr Schulz asked the court to suppress their client’s identity, claiming publicity would cause “undue hardship” to his family.
They filed multiple affidavits with the court which, they said, showed the harm Mr Schulz’s children would suffer were his identity published in connection with the allegations.
The Advertiser opposed that application, citing Supreme Court precedent on the issue and the March 2020 law changes that permitted publication of the identities of alleged sex offenders.
Magistrate Todd Grant said he was not satisfied, based on the affidavits and in light of legal precedent, a suppression order was warranted and declined to impose one.
He remanded Mr Schulz on bail to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court in November.
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Originally published as Ex-Trinity College teacher, Matthew Corey Schulz, faces court charged with child sex abuse, sexual intercourse without consent
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