A NSW school teacher has been accused of sexually touching a number of students over a nine-month period.
Thomas McKeown has been charged with 30 counts of sexually touching several school students between February and September at a Catholic school in the state’s west.
Thomas McKeown is accused of sexually touching several school students.Credit: Facebook
Court documents show all charges relate to students at the school and are dated between February and September.
The 36-year-old was arrested on Tuesday, September 10 and refused police bail, before he was granted bail at a local court.
In a letter sent to the school community on September 12, Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes director Paula Leadbitter said the diocese is aware of serious allegations involving a teacher within the school community.
“Upon notification, the teacher was immediately suspended, and a police investigation commenced,” she wrote.
“We are deeply committed to the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of all students, and we are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation by NSW Police.”
Leadbitter acknowledged the school’s “significant responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for our students” and said she understood the distress caused.
As well as teaching at the school, McKeown routinely joined students on excursions.
Under McKeown’s bail conditions, he must report to police three times a week, surrender his passport and not leave NSW or any international point of departure.
He must also not leave his address unless with his parents or partner, not approach or communicate with any person under the age of 18, and not possess more than one mobile phone or sim card.
An acceptable person agreed to a $10,000 surety to secure McKeown’s release.
McKeown has not entered pleas to the charges and is next due to face court on November 26.
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