A primary school teacher in Melbourne has been accused of using a hidden camera to film pupils in the boys' toilets. Timothy Blamires, 33, appeared via videolink at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court and was denied bail over concerns he could tamper with evidence.
Allegations and Court Proceedings
Blamires was arrested last Tuesday and charged with producing and possessing child abuse material after a camera was discovered at Kingswood Primary School in Dingley Village, a suburb of south Melbourne. Prosecutors allege that a cleaner found a hidden camera inside an odour dispenser in the toilets, pointed at the urinals. The cleaner placed the device in a bag and left it on the headteacher’s desk.
According to the court, Blamires is said to have taken the camera from the headteacher’s office and hid it in a drawer in the school’s sick bay. Following his arrest, the odour dispenser was allegedly found inside his bag at the school. Police also seized electronic devices, including laptops, phones, and tablets, from Blamires’ home as part of the investigation.
Evidence and Bail Decision
It is alleged that footage on the camera showed Blamires setting up the device as well as children using the toilet. Magistrate Timothy Gattuso stated he would not release Blamires on bail because there was an “unacceptable risk” he could interfere with witnesses and destroy evidence. The magistrate also noted that Blamires had provided passwords to police that “were not accurate.”
Blamires’ brother offered a AU$50,000 surety and proposed living with the defendant to ensure compliance with bail conditions. However, the prosecution argued that Blamires posed a risk to the public and might attempt to destroy evidence. Denying bail, Mr. Gattuso pointed to the allegation that Blamires tried to hide the camera after it was found by the cleaner. “You appear to have removed the device that had been located in the toilets by the cleaner, from the principal's office, and apparently hid it,” he told the court.
Impact on the School Community
A mother of a pupil at the school attended the court hearing and described the experience as “difficult.” She told ABC News, “I think I was the first one to break down in the court room. It was extremely difficult but I needed to see it. I just needed to be here... just to be able to process this whole situation.”
