NT athlete, school employee who allegedly groomed teen via Instagram banned from approaching school

A well-known Territory sports figure has been fired from a Top End school and banned from approaching the campus. Find out his bail conditions.

The well-known sport figure and school employee allegedly “persistently” sent the student sexual messages, requests for photos and plotted how to “evade” discovery. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A star Northern Territory athlete who allegedly groomed a teenage girl over Instagram has been banned from going within 2km of a Top End School.

The well-known sport figure and now former school employee – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was granted bail on Tuesday.

It is alleged the man, aged in his 30s, allegedly “persistently” sent a student sexual messages, requests for photos, and plotted how to “evade” discovery.

The man appeared before Darwin Local Court Judge Sally Ozolins for a bail decision, six days after he was arrested and charged with two counts of having sexual intercourse with a young person, while he was a person in a position of authority.

On Monday prosecutor Hana Seraphim alleged the man was employed at a Top End school when he began “grooming” a female student.

Ms Seraphim handed up a bundle of more than 40 pages of Instagram messages between the man and the teenager.

It was alleged the messages were ‘sexual in nature’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

She alleged the evidence included texts that were “sexual in nature” and “persistent”, and that he made repeated requests for photographs of the young teen.

Ms Seraphim said some of the messages also “captures attempts to evade suspicion and awareness of criminality” of his improper relationship with the child.

After his arrest, the man was stood down from his role at the school.

On Tuesday Ms Ozolins also said the alleged sexual offender would not be allowed within 2km of the school, with an electronic monitoring device installed to enforce the exclusion zone.

She also imposed a non-contact order for his alleged victim, any of her fellow students or her teammates — as the athlete and his victim were part of the same sporting club.

He will also be required to hand over all passwords for his phone, emails and social media accounts to police.

Darwin Local Court. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Ms Seraphim said given the “strong crown case” for a charge that carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, it was likely he would face some form of custodial sentence, if he were found guilty.

However Ms Ozolins said while the “serious” charges carried significant penalties “if it not a foregone conclusion that ultimately the defendant would be required to serve a period of imprisonment”.

“It is without controversy that final determination of these matters one way or another is likely to take some time,” she said.

Ms Kriesler said the man had no relevant priors, and “overwhelming family support” to meet the conditions of his bail.

The man’s father, siblings and other loved ones waited in the court gallery all day on Monday, with his brother providing a $1000 surety he would abide by any potential bail conditions, including non-contact orders and social media bans.

Ms Ozolins said it was nothing to suggest he would not comply with his bail, and imposed a $3000 bond promising to make all required court appointments and to abide by the condition.

He will be required to reside at a specific address, wear an ankle monitor, not breach his non-contact orders, and will not be allowed to approach either the school or the airport.

His preliminary examination mention date was set for May 28.

Originally published as NT athlete, school employee who allegedly groomed teen via Instagram banned from approaching school