An Australian primary school teacher has been accused of secretly filming children inside school toilets using hidden cameras concealed in air freshener dispensers, in a disturbing case that has led to 16 criminal charges.
Timothy Blamires, 33, allegedly recorded children on more than 350 occasions over a six month period at a primary school in Melbourne, according to reports by the Daily Mail.
The alleged recordings came to light after a cleaner discovered a concealed camera wired to a hard drive inside the school.
Police allege Blamires subsequently removed the camera and hid it inside a drawer in the school’s sick bay before returning to teach his class.
Investigators later seized laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices from his home as part of the investigation.
Blamires faces 16 charges, including producing and possessing child abuse material. He has been denied bail.
The allegations have raised serious concerns about the alleged use of concealed surveillance equipment in a school environment, where children and their families expect their privacy and safety to be protected.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the accused is presumed innocent unless found guilty.
Source: Daily Mail