Former teacher charged with abuse
Former Emanuel School teacher Paul Benjamin will face court in May on child sex charges stemming from alleged incidents in the early 2000s.
FORMER Emanuel School teacher Paul Benjamin will face court in May on child sex charges stemming from alleged incidents in the early 2000s.
Benjamin, 48, is charged with sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 10 years, inciting a victim under 10 years to commit an indecent act, committing an act of indecency with a victim under 10 years and indecent assault where the victim was under the age of 10 years.
A readiness hearing is set for April 6 before the District Court, with the matter listed for trial on May 14.
In a letter sent out to Emanuel School alumni on March 13, principal Andrew Watt said police had informed the school that there was no suggestion any assault occurred during school hours or on school grounds.
“Paul Benjamin left the school in 2009 and has had no contact with us since,” he said.
“The school has not been involved in the investigation and therefore is not privy to the charges or the case against Mr Benjamin.”
Police had also told the school there was a pre-existing relationship between Benjamin and the alleged victim’s family, he added.
A police spokesperson said: “In 2016 Rose Bay Police received reports of a number of historic child sexual assaults which allegedly occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“In 2017, a then 48-year-old man was arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 10.
“The matter has been listed for trial before Sydney District Court on 14 May 2018.”
Watt respectfully asked those who attended the school during Benjamin’s tenure to refrain from publicly commentating on the issue.
“In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our community that the school takes the welfare of its students, past and present, extremely seriously,” he said.
“We have a stringent child protection policy and we ensure that awareness and training in child protection matters is an important part of our ongoing professional development program.
“We remain committed to take every possible step towards ensuring that our students are cared for and protected at Emanuel.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sarah Walker at Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command on (02) 9365 9664 or 44835@police.nsw.gov.au.
GARETH NARUNSKY
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