Kurt Charlton: Former Perth primary school teacher and babysitter on child sex charges released on bail

A suspended Perth primary school teacher who also has a “multitude of babysitting clients” is behind bars over allegations he sexually abused and indecently recorded three children from different families across Perth. Kurt David Charlton faced Perth Magistrates Court from behind glass on Friday morning, after detectives from the child abuse squad charged the 28-year-old with a raft of crimes they allege he committed while he was working as a babysitter for families across several Perth suburbs this year and last year. During the Nollamara man’s bail application, which police prosecutors strongly opposed, the court was told there was a high expectation further charges would be laid, including counts of possession of child exploitation material, with detectives in the process of contacting a number of other victims yet to be identified by police. In opposing his release, the police prosecutor said Mr Charlton had “a multitude of babysitting clients” and that once news of the allegations against him spread, there was a “strong likelihood” of further victims coming forward. He added that the charges had caused “immeasurable trauma” to the alleged victims’ families, and that there was a risk he could reoffend if freed from custody. “It’s too high a risk for the community,” the prosecutor said, before stressing there were no conditions that could be put in place by the court to protect the public from the “extreme” risk Mr Charlton posed. He also claimed there was strong evidence Mr Charlton had sought work as a babysitter and as a primary school teacher as a result of his alleged sexual attraction to children. “He has an extensive network of clients,” the police prosecutor said. The court was told police had been investigating the 28-year-old for almost four months by the time he was arrested this week, and that he’d had his teaching registration suspended as a result of that probe on February 28. Prior to that he’d been employed as a primary school teacher in Perth’s northeastern suburbs, as well as a babysitter who advertised his services online. The court was told Mr Charlton did not have a criminal record and been the holder of a Working With Children Check, a police clearance and a first aid certificate at the time of the alleged offending. While “gratuitous” alleged facts of the charges — read out in court — are the subject of a suppression order made by Magistrate Gavin MacLean on Friday, it can be revealed the youngest of Mr Charlton’s alleged victims was less than two years old. Mr Charlton has been charged with one count of sexual penetration of a child under 13 and four counts each of indecently dealing with a child under 13 and indecently recording a child under 13. The offences are the result of a search warrant executed by police at his home, which he shares with his partner and baby. The court was told during the raid, police officers found an “extensive number” of indecent images on Mr Charlton’s phone. The police prosecutor on Friday said the alleged offending was of a “devious nature” and consisted of Mr Charlton in some instances allegedly hiding his phone “in such a way to secretly record” his alleged victims. “The allegations obviously are very serious,” Mr MacLean said, adding that the prosecution appeared to have a “strong” and “overwhelming” case. But he stressed the hearing was “not a sentencing” and that the investigation was still “at an early stage”. He granted Mr Charlton bail on a $10,000 surety and a $10,000 personal undertaking, on the strict conditions he surrender his passport, not leave WA, and not have any unsupervised contact with children. Under the protective bail conditions he must also abide by a curfew, live with his mother, remain off the internet unless it relates to work, banking and legal advice, and cannot communicate with any of the complainants in the case. Hours after he was supposed to have walked out of the Central Law Courts, however, it was revealed Mr Charlton would remain behind bars despite his successful bail application. It came after his mother, who’d been seated in the public gallery during her son’s hearing that morning, told Mr MacLean she had made the difficult decision to remove herself as her son’s surety over concerns for his safety. “I love my son,” she added. Mr Charleton is a Curtin University graduate, where he studied engineering. According to social media, he volunteered as a site leader on an Indigenous trip in 2019. The same post also stated he worked as a program leader of a primary school in Perth’s east. “I love having the opportunity to give back to others in the community, follow my passion for working with youth and meet other inspiring volunteers!” that post reads. Mr Charlton is due back in court on July 22. If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.