Victorian teacher busted for filming young girls while on Queensland holiday
A PRIMARY school teacher on holiday in Queensland busted filming young girls at a beach admitted the videos were for his “gratification”, a court has heard.
Law & Order
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A VICTORIAN primary school teacher on holiday in Queensland busted filming young girls at a beach admitted the videos were for his “gratification”, a court has heard.
James William Treasure told police he had “engaged in this behaviour before” but this was the “first time he had been caught”, civilian prosecutor Sam Rigby told Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard Mr Treasure had been a Victorian primary school teacher for about 13 years, but was on the Sunshine Coast for a week’s holiday.
In objecting to the 38-year-old’s bail application, Mr Rigby said Mr Treasure had made concerning admissions after his arrest that he “has a problem” and it was ongoing.
Mr Treasure fronted court via videolink on two charges of possessing child exploitation material, which is now under forensic examination, and one charge of public nuisance.
Victoria Police’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team executed a search warrant at a property in Sunbury last week. “As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further,” Victoria Police spokeswoman Alex Day said.
Victorian Institute of Teaching chief Peter Corcoran said Mr Treasure’s teacher registration in Queensland and Victoria had been suspended.
“If Mr Treasure is found guilty of these offences, his registration as a teacher in Victoria will automatically cease,” Mr Corcoran said.
“In those circumstances, Mr Treasure will be disqualified from teaching in Victoria,” he added.
“However, in the event that the charges are not upheld, the Victorian Institute of Teaching will consider initiating an investigation in its own right.”
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said Mr Treasure’s charges were quite serious and he was concerned over his voluntary admission he “has a problem filming young children”.
“Police have seized a number of items; video equipment and things that have been recorded are quite serious in nature,” Mr McLaughlin said.
“He has had contact with young children over a long period of time … and the fact he has admitted to police he has a problem, I have great concerns about granting this defendant bail with his problem.”
Mr Treasure was refused bail and is due to reappear via videolink on August 24.