Samuel Blanch: Former Townsville Grammar teacher has hearing delayed in court

A former Townsville Grammar teacher accused of making ‘fantasy’ child exploitation material has once again had his case delayed in being passed onto a higher court. See why.

The case of a former Townsville Grammar School teacher charged with making and distributing child exploitation material has again been delayed.

Samuel John Blanch, 56, was charged in July 2022 with two counts each of making and distributing child exploitation material.

The matter was called in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Blanch is on bail and did not appear in court, as his appearance was not required.

Blanch’s lawyer, solicitor Tracy Brown of Resolute Legal, said she was still awaiting a disclosure brief and the committal hearing could be adjourned.

The police prosecutor said she had the brief in the police office on Tuesday, and sought an adjournment to go through it.

Samuel Blanch did not appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The prosecutor said the disclosure would be made this week.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann adjourned the committal hearing hearing to May 30.

The previous court hearing in the matter was delayed because of a procedural error by police prosecution.

Blanch was Townsville Grammar School’s director of music at the time of the alleged offending. He was arrested on June 7, and is no longer a teacher at the school.

It is alleged by police that in December 2020 Blanch produced and distributed ‘fantasy-based’ audio recordings of child exploitation material.

It is understood the alleged offending did not involve any individuals at Townsville Grammar School, nor did involve the school itself.

Originally published as Samuel Blanch: Former Townsville Grammar teacher has hearing delayed in court