Michael Junkovic: Former St Kevin’s College teacher ‘inappropriate’ to students, court told
A former St Kevin’s teacher who is facing sexual assault charges regularly gave players in his basketball team “taps on the arse”, a court has heard.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former teacher at the prestigious St Kevin’s College in Toorak nicknamed a boy “big dick”, and regularly gave players in his basketball team “taps on the arse”, a court has heard.
Michael Junkovic, 42, a former religion teacher and basketball coach at the school, faced the Victorian Magistrates Court on Tuesday for the second day of a hearing on sexual assault and indecency charges.
He has pleaded not guilty, and denies the allegation he grabbed a boy between the legs from behind and called him a “bisexual bastard”.
A witness, who the Herald Sun has chosen not to name, told the court he did not directly see Junkovic touching the alleged victim, but heard him approach him from behind.
“I do remember hearing Mr Junkovic sat the comment ‘you bisexual bastard’ and I do remember (the alleged victim) being disturbed at the time,” the witness said.
He said the alleged victim tried to “laugh it off”.
The court heard the allegation made its way to senior school staff in the days following an explosive ABC Four Corners expose into the school.
The witness said Junkovic was “inappropriate with students in class”.
The court heard one of Junkovic’s students was referred to by the nickname “big dick”.
Junkovic’s barrister, Colin Mandy, SC, suggested the witness’s memory of the time had been infected by conversations he’d had in the years since.
The witness denied that was the case.
Mr Mandy also suggested the witness had been upset by the Junkovic’s treatment of him, which the witness also denied.
“I didn’t like his teaching style,” the witness said.
The witness also denied the suggestion that someone other than Junkovic might have touched the alleged victim.
The court heard Junkovic regularly slapped students on the backside, both in class and at sports training.
Much of the hearing has taken place in closed court, and Junkovic’s legal team is yet to detail his defence.
The hearing continues.
Alleged Casey hospital carjacker faces court with injuries to face, arms
The man accused of running over a woman with her own car during a violent carjacking at Casey hospital has faced court.
Why this teen wants Gen Z to care about Anzac Day
A teenager who’s seen the toll of hidden wounds on our veterans is calling on young Aussies to look beyond the parades and understand why Anzac Day still matters.