Alex Downes: School principal charged with sexual abuse of a minor

A Tasmanian Department of Education veteran who led at least three schools across his recently concluded career has been charged with a historical child sex offence.

Ex-Wynyard High School principal Alexander Downes. Picture: Facebook

A Tasmanian principal who led at least three schools across his career, which has only recently concluded, has been charged with a historical child sex offence.

Wynyard man Alexander Vere Downes, 64, appeared in Launceston Supreme Court on Monday.

He is charged with one count of persistent sexual abuse of a child or young person.

The Crown alleges the offence was committed in the Scottsdale area between January 1989–December 1991.

It is not known whether Mr Downes had commenced his teaching career by then. The Teachers Registration Board Tasmania said it was unable to provide any information. His registration is listed on their database as being current.

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It is also not known what Mr Downes alleged relationship with the complainant was.

The court was told at Monday’s first directions hearing into the matter that the complainant in the matter “was now aged in her forties”.

Justice Robert Pearce said there was “some work to be done between (Mr Downes’ lawyer and the prosecutor” before the matter returns to court in February next year.

Mr Downes was the principal of Wynyard High School from 2013 until the start of this year, when he retired.

He previously led Burnie High School and, before that, Rosebery District High School.

Upon recently calling it quits, Wynyard High School’s new princpal wrote a fond farewell in the newsletter to her predecessor.

She wrote that Mr Downes was adept at making connections in the community, hardworking, and made a large contribution to the fabric of the organisation.