Paedophile teacher from school at centre of Beaumaris child sex abuse inquiry dies

A notorious paedophile who taught at the school at the centre of a Victorian government inquiry into historical sexual abuse in state schools has died.

Darrell Ray, who changed his name to Ray Cosgriff, was due to appear in court again in February, facing 26 counts of indecent assault.

Ray Cosgriff, previously known as Darrell Ray, has died.

Police confirmed on Thursday the 82-year-old had passed away.

Ray, who had been living in Queensland, worked at a number of Melbourne schools, including Beaumaris Primary School in the early 1970s.

The inquiry is examining historical child sexual abuse at 24 state schools.

Ray first pleaded guilty to several counts of indecent assault and gross indecency against two boys in the late 1970s. More students came forward in the 1990s, alleging Ray had indecently assaulted them.

In 2001, Ray pleaded guilty to offences against 18 students over a 10-year period, the youngest being six or seven years old. He was sentenced to 44 months in prison.

He pleaded guilty to a further two counts of indecently assaulting students the following year and was sentenced to six months’ more jail.

During a court appearance in August on new charges of indecent assault relating to alleged abuse in the 1970s, Ray appeared via videolink from his bed at an aged care home in Ipswich, Queensland, with the assistance of two care workers.

The court was told Ray was bailed on June 19 but remained bedridden.

When asked if he could hear the court, he raised his right arm and said ‘yes’ before he appeared to fall asleep.

Law firm Arnold Thomas and Becker is acting for six men seeking compensation from the State of Victoria for abuse committed by Ray across multiple state schools for more than a decade.

Lawyer Cameron Doig said Ray’s flagrant and shocking offending often occurred in full view of others, it was the subject of discussion by other staff members and a number of failed investigations by school management and the department.

“His serial sexual abuse of children rates among the worst child protection failings in the Department of Education’s history,” Doig said.

“Ray’s death will not stop our clients’ pursuit of justice after lives of hardship and trauma. They remain committed to seeing their claims through to a just outcome and ensuring the department is held to account for enabling Ray’s predatory behaviour.”

On Thursday morning, at the beginning of a public hearing in the Beaumaris inquiry, chair Kathleen Foley said she had been advised of a report about Ray’s death.

“We understand that his death will be significant to a number of people who have been involved with this board of inquiry and that this may be a distressing development for them,” she said.

“We understand this impact and our thoughts are with all of those in the community who are affected by this news.”

Public hearings in the inquiry continue this week.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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