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Kirk Skinner: Sex offender teacher dies months out from sentencing

Former private school teacher Kirk Skinner, who pleaded guilty to sex offences, has died months out from being sentenced.

Former Newhaven College director of music Kirk Skinner has died. Picture: Facebook
Former Newhaven College director of music Kirk Skinner has died. Picture: Facebook

Ex-private school music director Kirk Skinner has died aged 64 before he could be sentenced over child sex offences.

Skinner, who pleaded guilty to crimes spanning three decades, was found dead at a property in Seaford on Tuesday.

It’s understood the former Newhaven College teacher was located by friends after he’d missed two medical appointments in the days prior.

A police spokesman said, “Police were called to an address on Nepean Highway in Seaford about 4.40pm on 23 January after a 64-year-old man was located deceased in his property.”

“His death is not believed to be suspicious.”

Former Newhaven College director of music Kirk Skinner died before he could be sentenced.
Former Newhaven College director of music Kirk Skinner died before he could be sentenced.
Former teacher Kirk Skinner at the County Court Picture: Andrew Henshaw
Former teacher Kirk Skinner at the County Court Picture: Andrew Henshaw

It’s understood Skinner had missed hospital appointments on Friday and Saturday relating to dialysis and other treatment, and friends made inquiries when he could not be contacted.

His death follows months of delays to his criminal case after he was hospitalised in November.

Skinner was admitted to the ICU with “acute renal and cardiac failure” that month and required dialysis three times a week for his “pretty serious” medical condition.

He last appeared before a court via a video link in December, where he was told he would have to make himself available if his victims wished to address the court about the impact of his crimes prior to a scheduled pre-sentencing hearing in March.

Skinner last year pleaded guilty to sex offences against six victims while teaching at Caulfield Grammar and Newhaven College in crimes that spanned three decades.

Those crimes included the sexual penetration of a child and the intentional sexual touching of the genitals of boys, who were aged 16 to 18.

A plea hearing on March 12 remains in the County Court system, but is expected to be vacated.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/kirk-skinner-sex-offender-teacher-dies-months-out-from-sentencing/news-story/7b08b1a76bd5e1743fee205347ba1dfd