AIMS High Academy director ‘struggling to comprehend’ sex assault allegations

The lawyer for a high school math tutor facing accusations of rape and sexual assault by young girls has told a court his client is “seriously struggling” and needs psychological treatment.

AIMS High Academy director Madira Ginnige is facing accusations of rape and sexual assault or touching by nine young females. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A high school math tutor facing a slew of rape and sexual assault charges involving underage girls is unable to provide his lawyer reliable legal instructions due to his poor state of mind, a court has heard.

The Herald Sun can reveal AIMS High Academy director Madira Ginnige is facing accusations of rape and sexual assault or touching by nine young females, most of whom he had access to via his tutoring business.

Mr Ginnige faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday where his lawyer told the court the high school educator was struggling to comprehend the “weight of allegations” against him.

The lawyer said he had “significant concerns” about the fluctuation in legal instructions given by Mr Ginnige, who has now been referred for psychological therapy.

“He is so unsettled we are not getting competent instructions on fundamental matters,” the lawyer said.

“He needs treatment and that’s been arranged. A psychologist with the relevant experience will be commencing (treatment) next week.

“He’s seriously struggling.”

STOCK- The Melbourne Magistrate Court. Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Picture: David Crosling

No details of the tutor’s state of mind were aired in court.

However, Magistrate Belinda Wallington confirmed no suggestion of a mental health impairment had been put to the court.

Ms Wallington made clear she was “unhappy” with the slow progression of the case, noting the complainants are children so the matter should be dealt with expeditiously.

However she granted a four-week adjournment after the lawyer argued extra time was in the interest of all parties, including the complainants.

“In order to get proper, reliable instructions, we need more time,” the lawyer said.

Mr Ginnige was charged last 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.

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

The investigation by the Box Hill sexual offences and child abuse team was subsequently expanded, with a further 15 alleged sexual offences dating back to 2015 laid against him.

Among them was a charge of rape involving a female in Narre Warren in July 2017.

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

Mr Ginnige attended the court hearing alone and did not speak.

He worked as a high school mathematics tutor for more than 15 years, specialising in VCE Mathematical Methods and VCE Specialist Maths.

The academy, which closed after his arrest, was linked to students at Melbourne High School, MacRobertson Girls High School and Nossal High School and referred to Mr Ginnige on its website as “one of the most trusted names in the industry”.

He will return to court on April 10.