More than half of charges dropped for teacher accused of sexually assaulting 12-year-old girls

A Sydney teacher accused of sex offences against young girls during school hours has had more than half of his charges dropped.

Simon William Phillips faced Burwood Local Court on Wednesday where crown prosecutor Jennifer Jayasuriya confirmed that 13 charges of aggravated indecent assault of a victim under his authority had been withdrawn.

The 52-year-old will return to court on October 17 when a date and location will be set for a hearing relating to 12 remaining offences of indecent assault of a person under 16 years of age.

Simon William Phillips faced Burwood Local Court on Wednesday where crown prosecutor Jennifer Jayasuriya confirmed that 13 charges of aggravated indecent assault of a victim under his authority had been withdrawn 

These attacks were allegedly committed against three 12-year-old girls on Sydney’s north shore between January and November 2017.

Some of the assaults allegedly occurred on weekdays between 9am and 3.10pm.

Phillips’ lawyer, Chaddy Mardini, told the court he expects “a number of young persons” will be called to give evidence at the three-week hearing via video link.

Phillips was arrested at a home in Russell Lea in November 2017.

He was granted strict bail the following day under several conditions, including that he effectively be kept under house arrest after his father made a $200,000 deposit as surety.

A NSW Department of Education spokesman on Wednesday said Phillips was barred from teaching in all of the state’s schools and was placed on a “not to be employed list” when the charges came to light.

“When employees are charged with serious criminal offences the NSW Department of Education takes appropriate risk management action and awaits any court outcome before making any permanent employment decision,” he told AAP.

“As this matter is before the courts the department cannot comment further.”

The 52-year-old will return to court on October 17 when a date and location will be set for a hearing relating to 12 remaining offences of indecent assault of a person under 16 years of age 

Phillips was arrested at a home in Russell Lea in November 2017. He was granted strict bail the following day under several conditions, including that he effectively be kept under house arrest after his father made a $200,000 deposit as surety 

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