Trinity Catholic School principal charged with child sex offences
The principal of Trinity Catholic School in Richmond has been charged over historical child sex offences, with the allegations dating back to his work at another school.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A primary school principal has been charged with historical child sex offences against four alleged victims.
Peter Andrew Bartley, principal of Trinity Catholic School in Richmond, faces six charges of an indecent act with a child under 16.
The 47-year-old Northcote man has been accused by four complainants of sexual assault from February to October in 1999.
The charges are understood to relate to St Scholastica’s Catholic Primary School.
Families at Trinity Catholic School were sent a letter last night informing them Mr Bartley had been charged “with alleged historical offences that relate to his time while employed at another school”.
Parish Priest Fr Nguyen Viet Huy confirmed in the letter that Mr Bartley had been stood down from his position at the school and Lindy Smith would continue in the role as acting principal.
“The school will not be making any further comment as this matter is now before the courts,” he wrote.
“However, if you have any queries about our child protection policies and procedures, please
do not hesitate to contact me directly as we work to ensure Trinity Catholic School remains
the safe and secure environment for learning that is so important to us.”
The Herald Sun understands Mr Bartley has been principal at Trinity Catholic School since 2018.
Before that, he served as vice principal and wellbeing co-ordinator at the school from 2009 to 2017.
Mr Bartley was charged on May 30 by the Box Hill Sexual Offences and Child abuse Investigation Team.
Catholic Education Melbourne executive director Jim Miles said “any allegation of harm to a child is profoundly distressing” and confirmed the principal has been stood down from all duties.
He urged anyone with concerns about harm to a child either in the past or more recently to report it to police.
“Our priority is, first and foremost, to support and protect our students,” he said.
“There are stringent policies and procedures in place to protect the safety of all our students, in addition to mandated state government requirements.”
Bartley has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court for a committal mention on August 28, 2020.
His teacher’s registration has also been suspended on an interim basis by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
Left to rot: ‘Gentlest’ teen Isla Bell’s brutal end
The horrific final moments of Brunswick teenager Isla Bell were captured on CCTV while her accused killer allegedly beat her on the kitchen floor of his apartment, before her body was stored in a fridge for weeks.
Four charged after major police sting nets huge cash, meth haul
Four men have been charged after police made a string of arrests among an alleged organised crime syndicate accused of importing liquid methamphetamine to prepare it for sale.