Former St Kilda Little League coach Darrell Ray charged with child sex abuse

A decades-long probe into a former Beaumaris Primary School teacher and junior football coach has resulted in dozens of indecent assault charges.

Former St Kilda Little League Coach Darrell Ray is facing 26 indecent assault charges.

A former Beaumaris Primary School teacher and St Kilda Little League coach is facing dozens of indecent assault charges.

Darrell Ray, who worked at the bayside school during the 1960s and ’70s, has been charged with 26 counts of indecent assault against a male.

The charges follow a decades-long probe by the Sex Crimes Squad into several alleged assaults linked to the disgraced teacher.

Ray, now 82 years old, is believed to be living in Queensland where detectives charged him on Wednesday.

He will front Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 7.

Former St Kilda Little League Coach Darrell Ray. Picture: Supplied

Ray worked as Beaumaris primary school’s librarian between 1971 and 1976 while coaching the Saints’ junior team.

He also taught at Moe Primary School and My View Primary School in Glen Waverley.

Ray coached the Little League team for 11 seasons between 1967 and 1977 while coaching several school sports teams, including the St Kilda Football Club’s Under-11 team.

The Little League was the AFL’s junior football initiative before it was replaced with Auskick’s weekly clinics during the 1990s.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman encouraged all victims of sexual and child abuse to come forward.

“Victoria Police is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those people who prey on children no matter how many years have passed,” she said.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppers.com.au