AIMS High Academy director charged with rape, sexually touching children

The director of AIMS High Academy in Melbourne’s southeast has been charged with 17 sexual offences, including rape and sexually touching children under his supervision over several years.

AIMS High Academy director Madira Ginnige eaves the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The director of a Melbourne tutoring academy stands accused of rape and sexually touching multiple children under his supervision over several years.

AIMS High Academy director Madira Ginnige, 56, is charged with 17 sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Mount Waverley, Narre Warren and Berwick between 2015 and July this year.

Among them is a charge of rape involving a female in Narre Warren on July 31, 2017.

Charge sheets obtained by the Herald Sun allege the rape occurred in circumstances where Mr Ginnige “did not reasonably believe (the alleged victim) consented to the penetration”.

The same day, in Berwick, the maths tutor is also alleged to have intentionally sexually touched a female without her consent.

Madira Ginnige is facing 17 sexual offence charges. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Ginnige was initially charged in July with two counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 who he was teaching at his academy’s Mt Waverley education centre.

The investigation by the Box Hill sexual offences and child abuse team was subsequently expanded, with a further 15 sexual offences laid against him.

AIMS High Academy had education centres based in both Mount Waverley and Narre Warren.

Mr Ginnige is charged with eight sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Mount Waverley, including intentionally sexually touching children and committing indecent acts with children under his care or supervision.

He faces a further eight sexual charges linked to Narre Warren which include multiple counts of intentionally sexually touching children in his care or supervision.

Charge sheets allege the tutor also attempted to commission a sexual offence with a child under the age of 16 between July and October 2017.

Mr Ginnige appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week where a prosecutor revealed the charges against the tutor relate to “quite a number” of alleged victims.

Madira Ginnige, the director of AIMS High Academy in Mount Waverley, leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court after being charged with child sex offences. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A lawyer for Mr Ginnige previously told a court he “denies the offending” related to the original alleged victim.

Wearing a black puffer jacket, blue shirt and a surgical mask, Mr Ginnige sat quietly behind his lawyer during the brief hearing.

His bail was extended until his next court appearance on December 6.

Mr Ginnige worked as a high school mathematics tutor for more than 15 years.

He specialised in VCE Mathematical Methods and VCE Specialist Maths, with the academy linked to students at Melbourne High School, MacRobertson Girls High School and Nossal High School.

The academy, which appears to have shut since Mr Ginnige was charged, was previously described on its website as “one of the most trusted names in the industry, all headed by the director Madira Ginnige.”