Ex-St Peter’s Girls’ School employee Riley McGuinness arrested and charged with child exploitation material offences

UPDATED: The elite private school coach charged with child abuse material offending can be identified – as can be his former links to a top AFL club.

A sports coach who has worked for an elite private school and the Adelaide Football Club has been arrested at his home and accused of creating, possessing and disseminating child abuse material.

On Friday, St Peter’s Girls’ School track and field coach Riley McGuinness was arrested by the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, which is comprised of AFP and SA Police officers.

They charged Mr McGuiness, 18, of the western suburbs, with multiple counts of possessing, disseminating and producing child exploitation material.

It is alleged Mr McGuinness was arrested as a result of information received from the National Centre of Missing and Exploited Children.

On Friday, Mr McGuinness was refused police bail to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

After court closed, however, his lawyer James Caldicott made an out-of-hours bail review application, which was granted by a magistrate.

Mr McGuinness will next face court in March.

Former St Peter’s Girls School track and field coach Riley McGuinness. Picture: Supplied

Mr McGuinness’ LinkedIn page says he worked at the Adelaide Football Club from 2022 to 2023. Picture: Supplied

On his LinkedIn profile, Mr McGuinness says he has “worked in a number of environments, from small community groups to large private schools”.

He says he is qualified to “design and deliver programs fit for people” and to “maximise participation rates of Australian rules football in the community”.

Mr McGuinness says he studied at SEDA College, and that the Adelaide Football Club employed him as a community engagement officer from January 2022 to December 2023.

He took up the role at St Peter’s Girls, he says, in January this year

In a statement, JACET Detective Chief Inspector George Fenwick said investigations were continuing.

“Digital evidence specialists conducted a forensic analysis at the scene and investigators expect that further charges may be identified once all seized electronic devices have been examined,” he said.

“This investigation is a clear reminder of the realities of child sexual exploitation and the proliferation of child sexual abuse on the internet.

“I remind everyone that all child exploitation images and videos are evidence of a real child being hurt, physically and mentally.

“We are absolute resolute in our commitment to prosecute anyone who chooses to utilise the internet to harm our most vulnerable.”

St Peter’s Girls’ School principal Cherylyn Skewes told The Advertiser the man had been fired following his arrest.

“St Peter’s Girls’ School was made aware on Friday 14 February that a recently-contracted casual employee had been charged by SA Police with possessing child exploitation material,” she said.

JACET arrested the man on Friday. Picture: Matt Loxton

“The individual was employed from the beginning of this school year on a casual contract, which was immediately terminated when the school was informed of this matter by SA Police.”

Ms Skewes said student wellbeing was “always our highest priority”, and that all staff were screened pre-employment.

“On accordance with the school’s procedures, the individual provided a current Working With Children Check and underwent Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care training,” she said.

“The school community has been informed and support offered to students and families.

“As this is a matter for the police and the courts, the school is unable to provide any further comment.”

The Adelaide Football Club did not return a request for comment.

Originally published as Ex-St Peter’s Girls’ School employee Riley McGuinness arrested and charged with child exploitation material offences