Primary school teacher accused of filming students in toilets denied bail
Updated ,first published
Relieved parents held their breath and burst into tears when a primary school teacher accused of filming young students in school toilets was denied bail.
Timothy Blamires appeared via video link at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Friday as parents from Kingswood Primary School filled the small courtroom for the bail decision.
The 33-year-old man is charged with five offenses including producing child abuse material and installing a spy camera without consent.
Speaking outside court after the hearing, one mother said it was extremely difficult to sit still.
“I think I was the first person in the courtroom to break down. It was extremely difficult, but I had to see it,” he said.
“I just needed to be here… to handle this whole situation.”
Blamires was arrested at Kingswood Primary School in Dingley Village on Tuesday after a cleaner discovered a hidden camera built into the air freshener on the wall of the boys’ toilet.
Following the discovery, the device was taken to the principal’s office and police were notified, according to court documents.
Blamires allegedly went to the principal’s office before police arrived, took the device and hid it in another room before returning to his classroom to teach 3rd grade students.
An eyewitness testified that Blamires was the only person who entered the office during the 10-minute period in which the camera was placed and moved, according to court documents.
The device was allegedly found hidden in the school’s infirmary later that evening. Police also found an empty air freshener container in Blamires’ classroom backpack, according to documents.
Judge Timothy Gattuso closed court for more than an hour Friday afternoon to take additional evidence from detectives before deciding whether to release the teacher on bail.
Prosecutors argued that there was a risk of further harm to the public, especially children, if he was released on bail and that he had the potential to destroy evidence if he had access to the internet.
The judge said the “obvious act” of moving the spy camera to another room justified detectives’ concerns.
“The new evidence adds credence to concerns about the destruction of evidence and the existence of more material,” Gattuso said.
He also noted that police seized other devices from Blamires’ home and school on the day of his arrest, but were unable to unlock some of them.
“Some of the passwords you provided… were not successful in enabling access [to those devices]Gattuso told the court.
The judge said it was also unclear who the victims were.
Images taken from the device include images of the teacher installing the device, and it is seen that the device is pointed at boys’ urinals and some children’s genitals are captured.
The judge said additional charges were possible and there could be “judicial issues,” but the existing charges were already serious.
Blamires’ brother offered to provide $50,000 bail, have the 33-year-old student live with him and prevent the teacher from accessing the internet or using a smartphone or other devices. But Gattuso said this would be nearly impossible to implement.
The court stated that the primary school teacher had no previous criminal record and this was his first time being involved in police matters.
Gattuso, who refused bail, said the risk of harm to the community, especially children, and his inability to provide passwords were unacceptable.
A couple who did not want to share their names outside the courthouse said that families at the school talk to each other and support each other.
“I really feel like there’s a lack of control… you want to protect your kids and it feels like we haven’t been able to do that,” one father said.
He added that they want to show support to all families who may be affected and are thankful that children do not understand the full ramifications of what is happening.
“I think as parents we should try to preserve that innocence and purity as much as we can, that’s the main goal of everyone,” he said.
“Hopefully they can be happy kids and go back to their normal lives at school with their friends and not have to worry or stress about those things.”
Another parent said the allegations against Blamires were “pretty disgusting” but they were pleased he was not granted bail.
A Department for Education spokesman said support was available for students and staff.
“We are working closely with Kingswood Primary School and Victoria Police to respond to this matter, which is extremely distressing for the school community,” the spokesman said.
Blamires will return to court later this month and has been suspended by the Victoria Institute of Education.
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Caroline Schelle is an education reporter and joined The Age in 2022. He had previously served in courts in AAP.Connect with: X or email.
