NSW: Fifth teacher arrested over Knox student abuse allegations

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2009
NSW: Fifth teacher arrested over Knox student abuse allegations

SYDNEY, April 29 AAP - A fifth former teacher from Sydney's prestigious Knox Grammar
School has been arrested over child sex allegations dating back 30 years.

The 66-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday at Port Macquarie, on NSW's mid-north
coast, in relation to the alleged indecent assault of a former student.

"The offences are alleged to have taken place while he was a teacher at the school
in 1976 and 1977," police said in a statement.

The man is expected to be charged later on Wednesday, police said.

Strike Force Arika was launched earlier this year to investigate allegations of sexual
abuse of students at the private boy's school in Wahroonga dating back to the 1970s.

Three other former Knox teachers and one current member of staff have already been
charged with child sex offences.

Damien Piers Vance was granted bail by a NSW court on April 9 after being extradited
from Melbourne to face a charge of sexual assault by inciting an indecent act.

Adrian Nisbett, 59, Barrie Tiffin Stewart, 71, and Craig Treloar, 49, were all charged
with multiple offences in February.

Treloar was teaching Year Six at Knox at the time of his arrest on four charges of
indecency and indecent assault relating to complaints made by two former students.

Earlier this month, Knox headmaster John Weeks issued a statement saying the school
was doing everything possible to support former and current students and staff.

"Our commitment to, and implementation of, child protection laws is absolute and leading
edge, and the school regularly reviews and improves its protocols in this area," he said
at the time.

"The school has also provided access to an external counselling service for any past
or present student, parent or staff member who might require it."

Investigations by Strike Force Arika are continuing and anyone with information that
might assist detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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KEYWORD: KNOX

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