Charges against former Cedar College worker to be reclassified as minor indictable, court hears

A former private school worker who allegedly indecently assaulted students – including smacking and kissing – will have his charges reclassified, a court has heard.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Simon Jettner was found Not Guilty by Magistrate Brian Nitschke on September 12, 2024

 

A former private school staff member charged with five counts of indecent assault will have his charges reclassified as minor indictable and dealt with at magistrates court level, a court has heard.

Former Cedar College, Northgate, student support officer Simon Jettner allegedly touched female students on five occasions over a two-year period.

He first appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September which heard allegations the offences involved “a number of counts, various students” who were aged 14 and 15 at the time.

On Wednesday, prosecutors told the court Mr Jettner – who will contest the charges – should be dealt with in the Adelaide Magistrates Court instead of the higher jurisdiction of the District Court as the charges filed with the court had been wrongly classified.

“The charges were laid as major indictable charges. They are in fact minor indictable charges,” a police prosecutor said.

Simon Andrew Jettner leaves court after an earlier appearance.

She said the amended charges would be formally filed before of Mr Jettner’s next appearance.

Craig Caldicott, for Mr Jettner, told the court his client would be pleading not guilty to the charges, but a formal plea is yet to be entered with the court.

At his previous appearance the court heard allegations Mr Jettner had put his arm around a 14-year-old student and pressed his body against her, touching her hands.

On another occasion he allegedly “pressed against (a female student) during class from behind”.

The court had also heard an allegation he “smacked the bottom” of a 15-year-old on two separate occasions, and that he had “picked up” a victim, hugged her and “kissed the victim on the lips”.

As part of his bail conditions Mr Jettner is banned from communicating directly or indirectly with any student, teacher, administration staff or other people associated with the school.

Magistrate Simon Smart adjourned the matter to a pre-trial conference in February.

Originally published as Charges against former Cedar College worker to be reclassified as minor indictable, court hears