A former sport assistant at Marymede Catholic College in Melbourne, Australia, has been charged with sexually penetrating a child under 16. Andrew Cassar, 24, was arrested on March 10 and appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday.
The allegations stem from an incident reportedly occurring on March 9. Sex crime detectives raided the college's Doreen campus on a pupil-free day to make the arrest.
In a letter to parents, Marymede Catholic College principal Timothy Newcomb confirmed Cassar's arrest and stated he was "directed not to return" to the school. Newcomb assured parents that their child's safety and wellbeing were the highest priorities and that Victoria Police had contacted impacted individuals. He also provided contact information for parents with queries about child protection policies.
Cassar was reportedly bailed shortly after his arrest. He appeared in court wearing a hoodie and puffer jacket, accompanied by his parents. His legal team has made an offer to resolve the matter with a guilty plea, which the prosecution is considering. Cassar was ordered not to contact or approach the alleged victim. His bail was extended, and he is scheduled to appear in court again at a later date. His Working with Children Check is also expected to be revoked upon finalization of the case.
Tuition for Year 12 students at Marymede Catholic College is reported to be over $8,000 annually.