Port Lincoln student support officer allegedly assaulted 12-year-old girl, court documents reveal

A former student support officer at a major high school allegedly indecently assaulted a 12-year-old girl, court documents have revealed.

The alleged crime of a former Eyre Peninsula student support officer charged with assaulting a child can now be revealed.

According to court documents, former Port Lincoln High School support officer Andrew Page is alleged to have indecently assaulted a 12-year-old girl.

The alleged offending occurred in late July.

On Thursday last week, Port Lincoln High School Principal Craig Akehurst penned a letter to parents advising them that Mr Page, 78 of Port Lincoln, had been arrested and charged with indecently assaulting a child.

He said Mr Page appeared in court on October 16, with court records confirming he had been granted police bail to appear in court in Port Augusta.

A Port Lincoln High school SSO has been arrested and charged with the aggravated indecent assault of a child. A letter sent to parents of the school. Picture: Supplied

In the letter, obtained by The Advertiser, Mr Akehurst told parents Mr Page had not worked in education department schools since August 1.

“The Department of Education is committed to keeping parents and caregivers informed in relation to this matter and I am writing to update you,” Mr Akehurst said.

“I invite you to contact me at the school if you have any concerns about the safety and welfare of your child.”

A spokeswoman for the Education Department said: “In keeping with the protocols laid out in the Debelle Report, the Department for Education has a policy around informing the school community at the appropriate time whenever allegations of sexual misconduct are made against any person who has worked in any capacity at a school.”

She said two letters had been provided to parents and caregivers at the school in accordance with the policy.

“We have no further comment to make in addition to the contents of the letter, with this matter currently before the courts.

“Parents have been provided with contact points if they have any concerns about the safety and welfare of their child.”

Mr Page will appear in court again in February.

Originally published as Port Lincoln student support officer allegedly assaulted 12-year-old girl, court documents reveal