Schoolteacher charged with 200+ child exploitation offences

A schoolteacher has reportedly been charged with more than 200 offences, including involving a minor in making child exploitation material.

A schoolteacher has been charged with more than 200 offences after an investigation into alleged indecent treatment of children in Queensland’s northeast.

The 35-year-old man was initially charged with three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and possessing child abuse material after his arrest on November 10.

Following further examination of electronic devices seized from the man, police allegedly uncovered additional child abuse material, sparking a series of serious new charges.

The man from Redlynch, west of Cairns, now faces an additional 61 counts of involving a child in making child exploitation material and 42 counts of making that material.

A former schoolteacher was arrested at his Redlynch home as police undertook a search of his home. Picture: QLD police

He has since been charged with a number of offences related to the indecent treatment of a child. Picture: QLD police

He also faces 64 counts of indecent treatment, 26 counts of taking a child for an immoral purpose, and seven counts of using a carriage service to access child abuse material.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the department was are aware of “serious allegations of misconduct against a former staff member” at a Queensland school.

“There is no higher priority for the department than the safety and wellbeing of students,” the spokesperson said.

“The department is assisting the Queensland Police Service with their investigations into the allegations and is unable to provide further information.”

He appeared before court on Monday. Picture: QLD police

Police allegedly uncovered child abuse material at his home. Picture: QLD police

Police confirmed they were working with the Department of Education as investigations continued and were offering support to anyone involved in the alleged offences.

The Cairns Post on Monday reported that the man had been a teacher at a local state college, and his name had since been removed from the school’s website.

An email was reportedly sent to parents confirming the man had been arrested while on school grounds.

The man is scheduled to appear before Cairns Magistrate Court on Monday, having previously appeared before the same court on November 11.