Teacher Darren Raymond Fulcher faces court on child procurement charge

A Sunshine Coast teacher who has been suspended from his field has faced court for the first time accused of trying to procure a child over social media.

A suspended teacher accused of trying to procure a child over social media for sexual acts has faced court for the first time.

Darren Raymond Fulcher donned sunglasses and a cap at his first appearance in court on Monday on one charge of using the internet to procure a child under 16.

Specialist Queensland Police detectives from Taskforce Argos, who investigate the sexual abuse of children online, swooped on the 58-year-old on June 7 and charged him with the single count. No plea has been entered.

Police allege the 58-year-old used a social media platform to procure a child for sexual acts.

At the search warrant his electronic devices were seized as part of the investigation and will be further examined by police.

He was released on strict bail conditions and appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.

His defence solicitor Madalyn Olivero told the court they were waiting for a Legal Aid application to be progressed and asked for an adjournment to allow for this to occur.

Darren Raymond Fulcher has been charged with one count of using the internet to procure a child under 16. Picture: Facebook

He left the court on bail after his court appearance on Monday. Picture: Sam Turner

Magistrate Rod Madsen granted this adjournment.

Mr Fulcher’s matter will return to court on August 18 and he left the court on bail.

The Queensland Register of Teachers shows Mr Fulcher was suspended on June 9.

The school where Mr Fulcher worked, which this publication chose not to name, sent an email to parents and guardians to address the 58-year-old’s arrest at the time.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students is our priority. (The school) has recently learned of an allegation against a teacher ... We take such allegations extremely seriously,” the email stated.

“Be advised the teacher is no longer in the workplace while the matter is ongoing.”

Originally published as Teacher Darren Raymond Fulcher faces court on child procurement charge