Phillip Island school staffer Kirk Skinner to be trialled over child sex assault

A former music director at Newhaven College accused of touching students on campus over four years will stand trial after his alleged victims gave evidence.

Newhaven College former music director Kirk Skinner has been committed to stand trial.

Newhaven College former music director Kirk Skinner has been committed to stand trial on sex assault charges against five alleged victims including children.

The ex-private school leader faces five charges of sex assault, three charges of an indecent act against a child under his care and one charge of indecent assault.

The Phillip Island man pleaded not guilty to all nine charges.

Mr Skinner, 61, faced a two-day committal hearing at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Monday and Tuesday, where the alleged victims gave evidence before a closed court.

He’s accused of touching students at the Newhaven school on the penis, or having them touch his penis, on four occasions on campus in allegations that span four years, from 2015 to 2019.

Newhaven College director of music Kirk Skinner.

He was originally facing 10 charges against six complainants.

But one charge – relating to one alleged victim – was struck out.

A magistrate found the evidence was strong enough to support a conviction and ordered Mr Skinner to stand trial in the Latrobe Valley County Court in November.

He will return to court on November 18.