A Marist Regional College employee has been charged again with child exploitation material offences.
Following an investigation which began in June, Tasmania Police charged the 31-year-old Somerset man with more than 30 child exploitation offences, after he was first charged with a single offence in July.
Among the new charges were six counts of involving a person under the age of 18 in the production of child exploitation material, and police have alleged offences relating to 29 separate girls.
A police spokesperson said the investigation was triggered after police received a report of inappropriate online contact with a person under the age of 18.
"As a result, investigators executed a search warrant at the man's address in July 2021 and multiple electronic devices were seized," the spokesperson said.
"The man was employed in a non-teaching role at a school on the North-West Coast at the time.
"He was charged in July with one count of possession of child exploitation material.
"He was suspended from his role at the school immediately and has since been stood down.
"Detectives have spoken to a number of young people in the north and North-West of Tasmania who reportedly received online contact from the man through fake social media accounts."
The man has now been further charged with 23 counts of attempting to involve a person under the age of 18 years in the production of child exploitation material, four counts of possessing child exploitation material and two counts of possession of prohibited visual recording.
"The online contact related to a total of 29 girls under the age of 18," the spokesperson said.
Marist Regional College Principal Gregg Sharman said the former employee was "fully stood down" when the college was first advised of the investigation.
"The Marist College community is shocked at the magnitude of the situation arising from the charges laid against a former college employee," he said.
"Ongoing support is available for our college community through our own professional staff, as well as external supports.
"This is a trying time for our students, staff and community. I ask that we respect all involved and impacted as part of this legal process."
He will appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court on 14 September 2021.
Information and resources for use by parents and educators about safe social media practices for children are available at https://www.esafety.gov.au/.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this story call sexual assault support service Laurel House on 6431 9711 or visit laurelhouse.org.au/.
Sandy Powell
Court and crime reporter covering the West and North-West of Tasmania for the Advocate.
Court and crime reporter covering the West and North-West of Tasmania for the Advocate.
