Former Townsville teacher, Joshua Robert Smith-Monaghan charged with rape and indecent treatment of children

A man who worked across multiple Townsville schools has applied for bail after he was charged with allegedly raping a teen and inappropriately handling children.

Former Townsville teacher, Joshua Robert Smith-Monaghan charged with rape and indecent treatment of children. Picture: generic

A former teacher has applied for bail after he was arrested this week on rape and indecent treatment charges.

It’s alleged that Joshua Robert Smith-Monaghan raped a 16-year-old girl he met when she was 15 and he was working as a substitute teacher at her school.

Magistrate Steven Mosch said some of the allegations involving that complainant included Mr Smith-Monaghan using the internet to procure the girl to engage in sexual acts however His Honour noted difficulties with understanding the rape charge as she was said to be of consensual age at the time.

Police prosecutor Kam Coffison said they would submit there was a “level of coercion” involved.

The court was told the dates of the offences varied across four years on unknown dates, and included five complainants varying from ages 10 to 16, with the most recent charge being said to have occurred as recently as last month.

In total Mr Smith-Monaghan has been charged with four counts of rape, eight counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and two counts of using the internet to procure a child under 16.

No pleas have been entered.

It’s also alleged the 35-year-old indecently dealt with children while he worked as an outside of school teacher, with allegations including the man grabbing a child’s shoulders and standing on their feet, putting his hands up another student’s shirt while on the monkey bars and forcing a child onto his lap by putting his arm around her neck.

Magistrate Mosch said the most recent charge alleged the man sent inappropriate messages to a 15-year-old girl he met when she was 13.

His Honour said some of the indecent acts allegations came to light when children told other staff members at the school and the Department of Education carried out an investigation but found his behaviour did not lead to criminal charges however terminated him from his position on September 18, 2023.

Defence lawyer Miriam Grundy from Legal Aid Queensland made a bail application on the former teacher’s behalf telling the court he had no criminal history and suggested conditions such as not being within 100m of a school, not having contact with the complainants and not having access to social media.

She said he had recently gained full time employment with a call centre.

The prosecution however said he was an “unacceptable” risk of reoffending as he had told police in an interview he knew what he was doing was unlawful when asked about the indecent treatment charges.

“His actions show a clear intent to commit offences,” the prosecution said.

Magistrate Mosch ultimately found the man posed “too much” risk of being granted bail and the application was denied. The man who appeared in the courtroom via videolink could be seen with his head in his hands.

His Honour adjourned the charges to December 17 in Townsville Magistrates Court where the man’s appearance is not required, and he was remanded in custody.

Originally published as Former Townsville teacher, Joshua Robert Smith-Monaghan charged with rape and indecent treatment of children